KANSAS CITY – Seth Lugo exited Wednesday night’s 6-4, 10-inning loss to the Rangers in the fourth inning after a 106.6 mph line drive came back to hit the Royals starter on the head.
It was a scary moment, but luckily, Lugo was able to get up mostly on his own and walk off the field. There was already a large lump forming on his forehead, but he was speaking to his teammates and Royals personnel as he walked off the field.
Lugo will be evaluated further. In the seventh inning, the Royals provided this update: "Seth Lugo is doing well and will go through the appropriate protocol and testing."
The liner was hit by Brandon Nimmo, who ran to first base but then immediately called time to run over to the mound and check on his former Mets teammate and friend. By that point, Lugo had gotten up and was getting checked on by head athletic trainer Kyle Turner and the Royals’ infield.
Lugo seemed to tell Nimmo that he was OK, and as Lugo walked off, he appeared to joke with Nimmo to hit the ball into right field rather than right back at him on the mound.
Lugo had been cruising against the Rangers on Wednesday, having thrown 3 1/3 scoreless innings until Nimmo’s single and exiting after 44 pitches (29 strikes).
Royals reliever Mason Black entered the game when Lugo exited and allowed two runs, one of which was charged to Lugo. Black was picked up by right fielder Jac Caglianone, who threw out Ezequiel Duran at home to end the frame.