Yankees veteran right-hander Masahiro Tanaka got a scare on Saturday. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka drilled in head by line drive during BP

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 7/4/20

The New York Yankees experienced a frightening moment on Saturday during live batting practice when starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was drilled in the head by a line drive.

Just a day after the Yankees welcomed back players for spring training 2.0, a feeling of excitement turned to horror. In the middle of batting practice, Giancarlo Stanton drilled a liner up the middle that hit Tanaka in the head and left him motionless on the ground.

Tanaka is moving. He's now sitting up. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/BbuerBxKxo
— Tom Hanslin (@TomHanslin) July 4, 2020

The 31-year-old pitcher laid on the ground for several minutes, with trainers and teammates rushing toward him. Tanaka was eventually able to sit up and was examined on the mound by the team’s medical staff.

Following the examination, Tanaka was guided off the field and into the dugout with trainers at his side. Fortunately, he was able to get up and move under his own power.

Tanaka now being led off the mound and into the dugout by training staff. He's getting some assistance but is mostly walking on his own
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) July 4, 2020

Tanaka is an integral piece of New York’s rotation, as he proved once again during the 2019 season. In the postseason, the right-hander dominated with a 2.25 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across 16 innings.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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