Reds Chapman Could Pitch in 4 Weeks After Skull Surgery
Reds Chapman Could Pitch in 4 Weeks After Skull Surgery

by Cesar Tordesillas

Goodyear, AZ

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman had a titanium plate inserted to stabilize the fracture above his left eye, one day after being hit in the face by a line drive.

The 2 1/2-hour procedure was performed by Dr. Ed Joganic at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix.

Team doctor Timothy Kremchek said he expected Chapman to remain hospitalized for a couple of days.

He added that left-hander could begin working out and throwing in 10 to 14 days and could pitch in game conditions in four to six weeks.

Kremchek called Chapman "a very lucky guy" as he was hit in one of the most protected areas of the skull.

"If you get hit in the side of the head, that could be disastrous," he said. "Where Aroldis got hit, you don't want to say he got hit in a good spot because he's undergoing surgery, but it could have been a lot worse, a lot more injuries, a lot more permanent. He's very lucky."

Chapman has a mild concussion but no other brain injuries or injuries to his eye, Kremchek noted.

"He's feeling better and he has some pain management. We're optimistic that he is going to be on the mend," said Reds manager Bryan Price.

Catcher Brayan Pena, a fellow Cuban and Chapman's close friend, said that Chapman wanted to offer assurance to Royals' Salvador Perez, whose bat struck Chapman with the line drive, that it is just something that happens in baseball and was not his fault.

The 26-year-old Chapman has a fastball that regularly tops 100 mph and has been clocked at 105 mph.

 

Aroldis Chapman Takes Liner To Face, Suffers Fractures

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman suffered fractures to the bones in his nose and left eye socket when he took a line drive to the face.

The 100 Mile Per Hour fastball throwing left-hander was struck when Salvador Perez's hit sent the ball soaring back at him. On impact, Chapman crumbled to the ground, face down and flailing his legs. Medical Personel and Chapman's father rushed onto the field immediately after he was struck. Chapman was carted off the field and transported by ambulance to a hospital

 

 

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"Reds Chapman Could Pitch in 4 Weeks After Skull Surgery"