Hit by Pitch: Whit Merrifield's Gruesome Injury

The Incident

The unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday, May 14, during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Kansas City Royals.

Facing a 94-miles per hour fastball from Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner, Whit Merrifield was struck on the hand.

Merrifield's Injury

Merrifield immediately crumpled to the ground in extreme pain, holding his right hand.

Trainers rushed onto the field and removed Merrifield from the game, with X-rays later revealing a fractured right index finger.

Impact on the Game

Merrifield's injury left the Royals shorthanded, as he is a key player and one of their top hitters.

The Royals went on to lose the game with a final score of 8-7.

Merrifield's Recovery

Merrifield is expected to miss several weeks, leaving a significant hole in the Royals' lineup.

The Royals will likely rely on Nicky Lopez or Michael A. Taylor to fill in at second base during Merrifield's absence.

Similar Incidents

Unfortunately, Merrifield's injury is not an isolated incident.

• Giancarlo Stanton was hit in the face by a fastball in 2022, resulting in multiple facial fractures.
• Tommy Pham suffered a fractured hand after being hit by a pitch in 2021.

Safety Concerns

These incidents raise concerns about player safety in the game of baseball.

Some experts advocate for mandatory pitch clocks and other measures to reduce the number of high-velocity pitches.