The Cincinnati Reds suffered a brutal loss before Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals even began.
Prior to first pitch, rookie shortstop Elly De La Cruz and rookie third baseman Noelvi Marte were warming up, playing catch in right field. Marte was not looking when De La Cruz tossed him the ball, though, as he was busy chatting with catcher Tyler Stephenson.
Marte got hit in the face by De La Cruz's casual throw, and his face was reportedly gushing blood. The rookie infielder was ultimately removed from Cincinnati's lineup just moments before the game was set to begin.
The game was delayed as the Reds reworked their lineup, and Alejo Lopez wound up slotting into the No. 8 spot after Marte went down.
According to The Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith, Marte suffered a facial contusion and has been labeled as day-to-day.
Marte was batting .254 with a .710 OPS in 19 games since getting called up to the big leagues in August. He is currently ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Cincinnati's farm system, per MLB Pipeline.
Lopez, on the other hand, is hitting .262 with a .645 OPS in 59 games so far this season. He was called up as a substitute player earlier Saturday.
The Reds and Cardinals are tied 3-3 in the fourth inning. Cincinnati is in the running for an NL Wild Card spot, while St. Louis is trying to avoid posting its worst record in nearly 30 years.
Cincinnati was already down a handful of infielders in shortstop Matt McLain, second baseman Jonathan India and first baseman Joey Votto. The trio of top performers could possible rejoin the lineup before the postseason, if the Reds are able to clinch a playoff spot.
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