CLEVELAND -- In Monday night's series opener at Progressive Field, home-plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt exited the Indians' 5-4 win following the sixth inning after earlier taking a warmup pitch from Boston reliever Joe Kelly off the mask.
The Indians announced Tuesday that Wendelstedt is being monitored for "concussion symptoms" and will not return for the remainder of the series between the two clubs, which lasts until Thursday. Pat Hoberg filled in for Wendelstedt on Tuesday.
With the Red Sox holding a 4-3 lead over the Indians in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kelly entered the game with a runner on second and two down to face Indians first baseman Carlos Santana. While Kelly was tossing his warmup pitches, one of the pitches deflected off the glove of catcher Christian Vazquez and hit Wendelstedt in the mask.
After Wendelstedt was checked out by Indians assistant athletic trainer Michael Salazar, he stayed in the game for the at-bat, which resulted in Santana flying out to center. Salazar again met with Wendelstedt after the flyout, and the umpire was ultimately removed from the game. Second-base umpire Alan Porter replaced Wendelstedt behind home plate.
The game went on with three umpires, with Bill Welke at first base and Andy Fletcher over at third.