Thursday, November 05, 2026
35.0°F

Yankees pitcher Tanaka hit in head by Stanton line drive

AP Sports Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 4 months AGO
by AP Sports Writer
| July 4, 2020 1:03 PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene during the team’s first official summer camp workout.

Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground, cradling his head at Yankee Stadium. Trainers quickly ran to Tanaka, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.

Trainers tended to his head and appeared to check his vision. Tanaka was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.

Stanton, who had his jaw broken by a high fastball in 2014, bent over at home plate and watched motionlessly. New York star Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and asked a video journalist to stop taking images.

Yankees players, some still stretching at the start of the club’s first official practice since Major League Baseball set a truncated 60-game schedule last month, stood or knelt silently.

Stanton was the third batter Tanaka faced to start the session, and no protective screen was in place.

The music that was playing over the sound system was turned off and a screen was put in front of the mound. Pitcher Jordan Montgomery began warming up and started to throw to hitters about five minutes after Tanaka walked off. The music was turned back on a few minutes later.

The 31-year-old Tanaka was 11-9 with a 4.45 ERA last season. The Japanese star is 75-43 in six years with the Yankees.

___

Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARTICLES BY AP SPORTS WRITER

October 10, 2020 1:06 p.m.

Spiller helps No. 21 A&M upset No. 4 Florida 41-38

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Isaiah Spiller rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 21 Texas A&M beat fourth-ranked Florida 41-38 on Seth Small's 26-yard field goal as time expired Saturday.

October 10, 2020 12:10 a.m.

No. 15 BYU's attention on UTSA, not rise in rankings

The directive this week for No. 15 BYU: Fixate only on UTSA, not that continual rise in the rankings.

October 10, 2020 12:10 a.m.

Ryan Neal making most of his chance as starter with Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Ryan Neal understands this isn’t likely to last.