Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd was struck on the side of the head by an Alfredo Aceves pitch in the second inning of Saturday’s game against the Red Sox.
The Aceves breaking ball rose quickly on Byrd, who attempted to dip his head back at the last second. That motion exposed his left eye from the protective flap and brim of his batting helmet, and he took the pitch square without any sort of ricochet.
Byrd was able to walk off the field under his own power, but a trainer was covering the left side of his face with a towel and blood was spotted by the FOX cameras. He at least suffered a cut, and possibly something much more serious. It was his first at-bat of the game.
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com says that Byrd is being taken to a local hospital for evaluation. He never lost consciousness but has a gash under his left eye. There should be updates throughout the night.
