Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Umpire leaves MLB game after getting hit in face by line drive

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 5:42 PM ET

Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt left the game he was working Wednesday after suffering a scary injury on a line drive.

Wendelstedt was working first base during the game between the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis. Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor hit a line drive down the first base line into foul territory, and Wendelstedt was unable to get out of the way of it.

Scary moment from todays Mets VS Cardinals game as 1B umpire Hunter Wendelstedt takes a 90mph baseball off the head pic.twitter.com/my7wGmfxFt
— Paul (@PaulyMets) April 16, 2025

Wendelstedt took the ball to the side of the head and was down on the ground for a lengthy period of time. He was eventually able to get to his feet and leave the field with assistance.

Scary moment in Minnesota as @MLB Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt took a line drive off his temple pic.twitter.com/vrcVnsKjC8
— Mike Lawrence (@AwesemYo) April 16, 2025

Major League Baseball did not offer any postgame update on Wendelstedt. However, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that he had heard that Wendelstedt was “fine.”

Wendelstedt has been a MLB umpire since 1998. He has worked four Division Series, four League Championship Series and the 2014 World Series during his career.

Unfortunately, umpires are vulnerable to moments like this due to their proximity to play. Hopefully Wendelstedt does not endure anything serious and is back to work quickly.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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