Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz leaves game after getting hit on head by teammate’s foul ball
Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz leaves game after getting hit on head by teammate’s foul ball
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz tags out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Pavin Smith trying to score a run on a ball hit by Randal Grichuk in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz and pitcher Cole Henry (99) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz tags out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Pavin Smith trying to score a run on a ball hit by Randal Grichuk in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz tags out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Pavin Smith trying to score a run on a ball hit by Randal Grichuk in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz and pitcher Cole Henry (99) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz and pitcher Cole Henry (99) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz left Monday night’s game against the San Diego Padres after getting struck on the head in the dugout by a foul ball off the bat of teammate Josh Bell.
The ball hit Ruiz on a bounce. He grabbed his head with both hands and immediately left the bench. He was replaced by Riley Adams.
Following his team’s 10-6 victory, Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Ruiz was getting a CT scan.
“The ball hit him pretty solid on the side of the head. We all ducked and when he went down, we kind of got scared a little bit,” Martinez said. “He had a nice lump on the side of his head. A little concerned right now. Hopefully he comes out of it OK.”
Bell wound up hitting a sacrifice fly as part of a four-run fourth inning.
It was the second time in five days a major league player got hurt in the dugout when nailed by a foul ball.
Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was carted off the field in a frightening scene and taken to a hospital after getting struck in the face when Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman lined a ball into the Tampa Bay dugout last Thursday night.
Bigge was placed on a backboard and gave a thumbs up before being driven by ambulance to a nearby hospital for tests. He never lost consciousness and was able to converse with first responders, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
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