Detroit Tigers’ right-handed pitcher Matt Manning’s season took a heartbreaking turn on Wednesday night when he was struck by a 119.5 mph comebacker off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton during their game against the New York Yankees. This unfortunate incident resulted in a broken right foot for the 25-year-old pitcher, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season.
What happened to Manning?
Manning had already faced adversity earlier this year when he missed 2 1/2 months of play after being hit on the foot by a comebacker from Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk. Reflecting on his misfortune, Manning expressed his frustration, stating, “I was just annoyed that it was the same foot, same spot basically. There are really no positives out of this. It’s unlucky. It happens. I guess it’s pretty cool to get hit by an MVP. I don’t know.”
Stanton, known for his powerful hits, unleashed his hardest-hit ball of the season, which rebounded off Manning’s foot, struck the pitcher on the backside, and was then gloved by Manning himself. Remarkably, despite the injury, Manning managed to make the throw to first base for the final out of the first inning.
The incident immediately prompted an attentive response from the Tigers’ athletic trainer and manager, A.J. Hinch. They were quick to assess the situation and ensure that Manning received the necessary care.
What makes this situation even more unfortunate is that Manning had already experienced a similar injury earlier in the season. On April 11, he was struck by a comebacker from Alejandro Kirk, which had a velocity of 97.3 mph. This earlier injury sidelined him until June 27, making his return to the Tigers’ roster.
Despite the setbacks, Manning had shown promise on the mound this season, boasting a record of 5-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 15 starts.
Reflecting on the unusual nature of Manning’s misfortunes, Hinch remarked, “You can count probably on one hand how many pitchers have gotten hit in the foot with line drives this season. He’s had it twice. That’s incredibly unlucky, and 119 off any part of the body is probably going to put you on the injured list.”
While the future of Matt Manning’s season looks bleak, his resilience and determination to overcome previous obstacles provide hope for his return in the future. The Tigers and their fans eagerly await his comeback, hoping for a healthy and successful return to the mound.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
