Atlanta Braves outfielder Charlie Culberson left Saturday night’s game against the Washington Nationals after he was hit in the face with a pitch from Fernando Rodney, and he has fortunately already been released from the hospital.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sunday that Culberson suffered fractures, but he did not have to spend the night in the hospital.
That sounds incredibly painful, but it is good news all things considered. The fact that Culberson was already sent home from the hospital is a positive sign, especially when you see how brutal the injury looked. You can see a video of the pitch below, but keep in mind it may be difficult to watch:
Home plate umpire Tim Timmons said after Washington’s 10-1 win that Nationals manager Dave Martinez appealed to him after the play to see if Culberson offered at the pitch, which he did. That led to Snitker coming out of the dugout and giving the umpiring crew an earful, but Martinez said Sunday that the conversation he had with Timmons was misrepresented by the umpire.
Rodney also expressed remorse over what happened and said Sunday that he was hoping to get a message to Culberson.
It’s always a terrifying thing when a batter takes a pitch to the face, and we’re glad to hear Culberson was not hospitalized for very long. We’ll have to wait to see the extent of the facial fractures.
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