"I know I'm a little bit of a messed-up individual, but I don't really have any concern about getting back on the mound."
Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt suffered one of the scariest injuries of the 2021 MLB season on Aug. 17, taking a line drive off the side of his face during a start in Chicago against the White Sox. Bassitt had to get 15-16 stitches at a Chicago hospital after the line drive caused some lacerations to his face. The pitcher also had a displaced tripod fracture in his right cheek that required surgery, which was conducted Tuesday and was successful by all accounts.
The right-hander spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Saturday ahead of the A's game at the Coliseum against the New York Yankees. Bassitt said he needed to be back in the clubhouse with his teammates not just as one of the team's veteran leaders, but for himself to get his life somewhat back to normal after the gruesome injury.
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SIGN UP HERE Bassitt also told reporters he has no memory of being struck by the ball, and says he has no intention of ever watching a replay of the play.
"I don't remember getting hit, I don't remember throwing the pitch, I don't remember getting hit, but I remember everything else," Bassitt said. "There's probably a five-second spot in there that I don't remember anything and not necessarily, I think it's a gift from god. I don't want to remember it, I haven't watched a replay of it, I'm not going to ever watch a replay of it."
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The A's didn't provide much information on when Bassitt could return to the mound, saying the outcome of the surgery and the pitcher's subsequent healing process will determine when he can suit up once again.
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Bassitt clearly would like to be back sooner rather than later, but with just over a month left in the regular season, it seems unlikely he'll pitch again this season.
It is great to see Bassitt in such great spirits given what he has been through the past two weeks, and his perspective on the whole situation is admirable to say the least.