Juan Nicasio Hit In Head By Line Drive: Rockies Pitcher Breaks Neck

Juan Nicasio, the Colorado Rockies' 24-year-old rookie pitcher, was hospitalized Friday night after taking a sharp line drive to side of his head during just the 13th start of his career against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field in Denver.

Leading off the top of the second inning, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond lined the second pitch that he saw right back toward the mound. The right-handed pitcher had enough time to turn his head to the side but could not evade the screaming drive. He dropped instantly as the ball ricocheted far from the mound. Players on both teams and fans in the stadium looked on fearfully as medical personnel attended to the fallen pitcher.

The Denver Post reported that after being hit in the head by that liner, Nicasio was diagnosed with a broken neck and required surgery.

Comments

[AbeMartin]

09:51 AM on 08/18/2011

In 1956, Cleveland Indians pitching ace Herb Score, got hit in the eye by a screamer off the bat of Yankee's third baseman Gil McDougald.  Score suffered many broken bones and there was concern he would lose an eye.  Fortunately, he recovered and returned to the lineup the next year.  But, many believe he was never the same pitcher as before the accident.  

Medical treatment for spinal injuries and brain injuries has advanced hugely over the last half century.  I do hope that Nocasio is able to return to full health and resume his career.

A batted or thrown baseball can do enormous physical damage.  Anyone who goes to the ball park, expecially with little kids has to keep their eyes on the action and not on their smart phone's keypad.

[hydrogeoman]

06:55 PM on 08/08/2011

It’s always best, of course, to assume a positive attitude about recovery. Even if Nicasio’s surgery and followup medical treatments conquer the effects of his broken neck, it’s going to be extremely tough for him to go back out there without a haunting concern of it happening again.

Sure, a pitcher can take the mound again, physically speaking; but the mental part—the necessity of concentrating on mechanics, strike zone, game situation, etc.—is always the hardest part to overcome; that, and the crucial need to completely dismiss any lingering fear of the worst.

Best wishes for a FULL recovery, Nicasio...

[themoosespeaks]

05:59 AM on 08/07/2011

Tragic, and let's hope he makes a full and speedy recovery, but it underscores a fundamental problem with (esp young) pitchers: they forget that as soon as they release the ball they're playing defense. No, it's not easy to get in a defensive position after a pitch, but if it were, anyone could be a ballplayer. Coaches from little league on up need to do a better job of teaching the art of defense to a pitcher.

[Mr Anonymous]

08:33 PM on 08/07/2011

With how fast the ball moves from the pitcher to the batter then back, thats impossible. Most pitchers are finishing their follow throughs by the time the ball is back at them.

[ReadHead322]

07:42 PM on 08/06/2011

Oh, that was so bad. That poor guy. I've actually wondered why that doesn't happen more often to the pitchers. Line drives can be uuuuggly.

[frank day]

05:40 PM on 08/06/2011

Terrible video footage.

It looked to me like it caught him on the shoulder and bounced off possibly hitting his head.

What terrifies me is when a bat cracks and goes flying at a pitcher.

[bearchao]

05:12 PM on 08/06/2011

SPAM...flagged

[Chester Erickson]

06:20 PM on 08/06/2011

SPAM

[bearchao]

08:30 PM on 08/06/2011

FLAGGED....SPAMMER

[benhawkins]

04:41 PM on 08/06/2011

This always makes me think of Herb Score.

[Valois]

03:02 PM on 08/06/2011

that is awful, why don't pitchers wear hemets? Everyone else does....

[chrisfromky]

12:02 AM on 08/07/2011

Wouldn't have helped it hit him in the neck.

[Count DeMonet]

02:54 PM on 08/06/2011

'but could not evade the screaming drive.'

Did the drive really scream? I would've thought the pitcher would, but what do I know?

[ReadHead322]

07:43 PM on 08/06/2011

You're not funny.

[OhManOhMan]

02:38 PM on 08/06/2011

OUCH

[Spartan112]

02:34 PM on 08/06/2011

Terrible event for all involved. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery, the worst of these I ever saw was when Bryce Florie got nailed dead in the face.

[hoagie58]

02:30 PM on 08/06/2011

Thoughts and prayers with Juan, his family, and the Rockies organization. Neck fractures can be serious, and have tragic consequences. They can also be relatively minor. Let's pray for the latter. Get well soon, Juan!