Toronto Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison was removed from Sunday's spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays after being struck in the side of his head with an errant baseball thrown by teammate A.J. Jimenez.
Hutchison walked Brad Miller to start the bottom of the fifth inning and was facing Steven Souza Jr. at the plate when Miller took off from first base in a stolen base attempt. Jimenez caught the strike then hopped up to gun the ball to second. Hutchison ducked on the mound but Jimenez's throw tailed off and ended up striking the pitcher on the side of his head. An error was charged to Jimenez as Miller advanced to third.
As a precaution, Hutchison was taken out of the game. Miller scored eventually and the run was charged to Hutchison, who finished the game having allowed one run, one hit, two strikeouts, and three walks. He is officially still in the running for the Blue Jays' fifth starter job, but with Aaron Sanchez and Gavin Floyd as the frontrunners, Hutchison is likely ticketed for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
UPDATE
Some good news came during the game via Sportsnet's Barry Davis and Shi Davidi:
Hutchison surprisingly feels fine. No bump, no pain. Says it was just a freak accident. Ball got him in back of head. #BlueJays
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) March 27, 2016
Drew Hutchison said he's fine, not even a bump on his head. "That’s what you get for being dumb and walking the leadoff guy." #BlueJays
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) March 27, 2016
Looks like his sense of humour is back.