Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner is out indefinitely after suffering a fractured skull and concussion when he was struck in the head by a line drive during a minor league game on May 16.
Feltner, 24, was pitching for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of New Hampshire Fisher Cats infielder Vinny Capra. The impact was so severe that Feltner was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
An MRI revealed that Feltner had a fractured skull and a concussion, which will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future. The Rockies have not yet given a timetable for his return, but it is likely that he will be out for several weeks if not months.
The injury is a stark reminder of the dangers that pitchers face every time they take the mound. Even with the protective gear that they wear, line drives can come off the bat at over 100 miles per hour and leave little time for reactions.
Feltner, a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, was off to a solid start to his first full season as a professional. In seven starts for the Yard Goats, he had a 4.15 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched.
The Rockies released a statement expressing their concern for Feltner and their full support for his recovery. “Ryan is a beloved member of our organization, and we are all thinking of him and wishing him a speedy recovery,” the statement read. “We will do everything we can to support him and his family during this difficult time.”
Feltner’s injury is a stark reminder of how fragile a player’s career can be. One moment, he can be on the path to a promising future. The next, he can be fighting for his life. The best that anyone can hope for is that Feltner will make a full recovery and be able to resume his baseball career when he is ready. Until then, the Rockies and their fans will be rooting for him every step of the way.
