Rays' Amed Rosario hit in face by 100 mph fastball

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Amed Rosario. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Rays' Amed Rosario leaves game after getting hit in face by 100 mph fastball

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jun 22, 2024 4:43 PM ET

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Amed Rosario had to leave Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the first inning after being struck in the head by a 100 mph Jared Jones fastball.

As soon as Rosario was hit, the Rays' on-deck hitter, Jose Siri, and the team's training staff rushed to home plate to assist him.

A scary scene in Pittsburgh as Amed Rosario takes a 100 mph pitch to the face.

Rosario appears to be okay pic.twitter.com/65zFZ0wODx
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) June 22, 2024

Rosario was able to walk off the field, but he was immediately removed from the game and replaced in the lineup by Richie Palacios.

Jones is one of the Pirates' two 100 mph fastball starters and has wowed fans all season with his velocity and ability to get swing and misses. Lately, he has had issues with his control. Those control issues were evident in the first inning of Saturday's game as he hit two batters and walked another.

Rosario was the second hit batter of the inning and by far the scariest.

The increased emphasis on velocity has made pitching a must-see event in baseball. However, that increased velocity has plenty of negatives, ranging from the health of pitchers' arms to the risk that comes to hitters when a fastball gets away from a pitcher.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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