Hopefully Kris Bryant is going to be OK after taking a 96 MPH fastball off the head in his first plate appearance today. It was immediately ugly, and Bryant had to be helped off the field and into the clubhouse.
Here’s the replay:
https://twitter.com/kg_holler/status/988134794352525312
Scary moment as #Cubs Kris Bryant gets drilled in the brim of his batting helmet by Rockies pitcher German Marquez. Bryant taken out of the game after trainers checked on him. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/S8f3KmfF7I
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) April 22, 2018
After that, Bryant was leaning on Joe Maddon and the trainer, was in obvious pain, and was eventually helped off the field. He will presumably be evaluated for a concussion. David Bote came in to run for Kris Bryant.
Both of the Cubs’ hitting coaches – Chili Davis and Andy Haines – were tossed after the HBP for some reason, though it was not entirely clear why. They were visibly angry, and I’m not sure if they had a reason to suspect that the pitch was intentional.
We’ll update when more is known. The Cubs have a scheduled off-day tomorrow, so at least there’s that built-in rest day, but it would not be surprising to learn that Bryant will need more time than that.
UPDATE: Great news so far:
Kris Bryant was examined upon exiting today's game and has passed all tests thus far.
He has a small laceration above his eye from his sunglasses, but has shown no signs of a concussion.
He will continue to be evaluated.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 22, 2018