The New York Mets reported Tuesday that outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures from a pitch to the face Monday night against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
“He will meet with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine next steps,” New York said in a press release.
In the seventh inning of the game the Mets won 3-1 on Monday, reliever Jacob Webb hit Pillar in the face with a 94 mph fastball. The player bled profusely while being cared for on the ground, but walked into the cave without assistance and was later transferred to a local hospital.
The player subsequently posted a message of encouragement on his social media, informing him that he was fine.
In the first six weeks of the 2021 season, pitchers have hit 556 batters, an average of 0.92 per game. The projection is that this year the all-time hitting record (1,984), set in 2019, the last time a full season was played, could be broken.
With the victory in the first game of the series against Atlanta, a divisional rival, New York cut a streak of three setbacks and with a 19-16 mark it dominates by one game the East Division of the National League, despite having on the list of injured several of its stars.
Pillar joins a group that includes pitcher Jacob deGrom , outfielders Michael Conforto , Brandon Nimmo and Albert Almora Jr. , Second baseman Jeff McNeil and third baseman JD Davis, among others.
“It was a very difficult time for the whole team and we are praying that everything goes well with Kevin,” Dominican manager Luis Rojas said.
“I think our team has handled all the adversities we have faced with injuries very well. I like the fitness of the team, the boys continue to excel in difficult times and that makes me feel proud,” he added.
In his first season with the Mets, the outfielder is hitting .247 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 27 games and 77 at-bats. An outfielder of extraordinary defensive qualities, Pillar is hitting .262 in nine years in the major leagues.