A freak accident in spring training could have ramifications for the Boston Red Sox pitching staff as starting pitcher Josh Beckett was hit in the head with a baseball Monday:
Josh Beckett takes ball to side of head [ESPN]
Beckett, who was standing in left-center field, went to one knee after he was struck in the left side of the head. Teammates immediately called for the training staff, and he was escorted off the field with his hand on his head.
The Red Sox said the pitcher did not need to be taken to the hospital and was treated at the park. The team initially said Beckett was OK, but he started to experience concussion symptoms and was sent home to rest.More from ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald:
The ball that struck Beckett was hit by Red Sox staffer Ino Guerrero, who was standing in the outfield during batting practice hitting shagged balls with a fungo bat back to a bucket behind second base when one got away from him.
"I think it hit him in the temple," [Red Sox manager Terry] Francona said. "I bet you it felt like a bolt of lightning. That's not really what you're expecting. It's just a fluke thing. Fortunately, it hit Beckett in the head. It's better than hitting him in the shoulder."
When asked what he said to Guerrero, Francona said: "I called him a dumb [expletive]."Assuming Josh Beckett's concussion systems do not linger for a long period of time, which will allow Ino Guerrero to keep his job, Guerrero should probably make some adjustments to his batting practice routine.
Josh Beckett takes ball to side of head [ESPN]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
