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[Sports Seoul | Gwangju=Kang Yoon-sik] KIA Tigers’ injury-replacement slugger Aderlin Rodríguez, 34, suffered a frightening scare when he was struck near the back of his head. The club removed him from the game as a precaution and plans to have him evaluated at a hospital.
KIA issued a statement: “Aderlin was removed as a protective measure after being hit by a pitch (on his back and the base of his skull). He will be taken to the club’s designated hospital (Seonhan Hospital) for further evaluation.”
The incident happened in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out and runners on second and third. Aderlin stepped into the batter’s box and was hit by the opposing starter Yonny Chirinos’ first pitch, a two-seam fastball clocked at 145 km/h (about 90.1 mph).
At first glance it appeared the ball struck his head. On closer review, the pitch first hit his back and then deflected into the base of his skull. Even without a direct blow to the top of the head, the ricochet produced a significant impact.
Aderlin was clearly in discomfort for several minutes while trainers attended to him. He stayed in the game through the bottom of the fourth, since he was in the lineup as the designated hitter and had no defensive assignment. The team plans to send in a pinch-hitter for his next plate appearance. skywalker@sportsseoul.com
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