MLB umpire Nick Mahrley left Sunday’s game between the Colorado Rockies and New York Yankees after being hit in the head with a broken bat.
Mahrley was conscious and able to move his arms as he was placed on a stretcher with his head and neck in a brace. The nature of his injury and condition wasn’t immediately clear.
The incident happened in the bottom of the fifth inning with the Yankees leading, 4-3. Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton hit a broken-bat single into left field off Rockies starter Austin Gomber.
The barrel of Stanton’s bat snapped off at the handle and rotated around to hit Mahrley in the neck and the side of his head, knocking his facemask off.
Mahrley fell to his knees in pain, but maintained consciousness. He was eventually placed on a stretcher. He was able to raise his arms while he was being placed on the stretcher before he was taken off the field for medical evaluation.
Stanton’s hit loaded the bases with one out. The game went into a delay as crew chief Marvin Hudson changed into protective gear to take over at home plate. The Rockies recorded consecutive outs when play resumed to get out of the inning without a Yankees run with the bases loaded.
The Yankees went on to a 10-3 win on a day where they hit five home runs.