Aug 17, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) checks on starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) who covers his face after being hit by a ball hit by Chicago White Sox left fielder Brian Goodwin during the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
August 18, 2021
Oakland Athletics All-Star pitcher Chris Bassitt sustained a fractured right cheek that will require surgery after he was hit in the head by a line drive in Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.
Per the Athletics, Bassitt was “diagnosed with a displaced tripod fracture in his right cheek that will require surgery. An exam of his right eye was normal for vision, and no other damage is currently noted in the eye or the orbital bone. In addition, a head CT scan revealed no further injury.”
Bassitt was released from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago on Tuesday night, the team announced.
Bassitt, 32, was taken off the field in the second inning after being struck in the head by a line drive. He was accompanied by his wife, Jess, to the hospital.
Meister Sports, Bassitt’s representation, wrote the following Wednesday on Twitter:
“Chris will be better than ever and back to doing what he loves soon, and thanks everyone for their prayers and support… Things like this remind us that in most ways were of one heart and one mind.”
With runners on first and second and no outs, Chicago’s Brian Goodwin lined a 1-1 pitch up the middle. The ball sharply struck Bassitt, whose momentum had taken him toward first base after delivering the pitch.
Bassitt went to the ground as the Oakland training staff tended to him, helping apply towels to the pitcher’s bloodied face. Bassitt was carted off the field as his shaken teammates looked on, many having taken a knee or holding their hands in a prayerful gesture.
Bassitt is 12-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 25 starts this season. He owns a 31-25 record with a 3.49 ERA in 104 career appearances (91 starts) with the White Sox and Athletics.
–Field Level Media
