Fan struck by foul tip released from hospital

PITTSBURGH -- The fan struck Monday night by a foul ball at PNC Park was released from the hospital where she had been taken for examinations, according to an update provided by the Pirates.

The club's statement on Tuesday:

"The female fan who was struck by a foul ball during last night's game was sent via ambulance to the hospital for the appropriate examinations. Thankfully, the fan was released from the hospital following those examinations.

"We are extremely grateful for this positive outcome. The organization is in the process of reaching out to her to show our support. Due to privacy laws, we will not reveal the name of the fan, nor additional details at this time.

"We wish to thank the PNC Park personnel and fellow fans who were on the scene at the time, as well as the Pittsburgh EMS for their quick response."

In the second inning of the Cubs-Pirates game, Starlin Castro fouled back a pitch from A.J. Burnett into the netting. The net flexed with the impact of the ball, which struck the fan in the head area as she stood with her back to the field. She fell and was immediately tended to by ballpark and medical crews.

Infielder Jordy Mercer and manager Clint Hurdle were among those with the Pirates to share his relief on Tuesday.

"We were talking about it in the dugout when it happened," Mercer said. "None of us had ever seen anything like that before, and hope to never see it again. It's wonderful to hear that she was released last night. We're all very happy about that."

"We're very pleased she's doing much better, so that's a good thing," Hurdle said. "There were a lot of thoughts and prayers going on for that 25-minute pause. I think the umpires handled it very professionally. She was obviously not in a position to be moved, so you have to wait it out and let the experts come in and take care of what they have to take care of, then move on. We're very happy for her, that she was able to be released."