A Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect was forced to leave a game Tuesday after he was struck in the head by a line drive.
The horrific scene played out in the top of the first inning of the Hill City Howlers vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers matchup at City Stadium in Virginia, as Aidan Major was facing off with Xavier Neyens.
Major — a fifth-round pick by the Guardians in the 2024 MLB draft — threw a fastball on a 2-0 count that was smacked right back at him by Neyens.
The ball was hit so hard, Major couldn’t move out of the way, and he ended up getting drilled squarely in his cheek area.
While the Howlers were able to throw Neyens out at first base, Major crumpled to the infield grass in a world of pain.
The 23-year-old writhed on the ground for several moments as trainers raced to the mound to check on him.
Major was fortunately able to get up and take a cart off the field, and he reportedly flashed a thumbs up sign to the crowd in attendance before he left to undergo further evaluation.
Major’s father, Chad, wrote in a statement on X late Tuesday night that his son was “doing well considering the scary event.”
“Currently still in the hospital awaiting results from scans,” Chad added. “He wanted to get back to the stadium to cheer on his teammates.”
Major, who pitched in college for West Virginia, had been having a standout season — recording a 3.10 ERA over 29 innings pitched.
His Howlers team, meanwhile, was able to come away with a 5-4 win Tuesday night despite his absence.
