ARLINGTON, Texas – Houston Astros rookie Max Stassi, called up to the major leagues Tuesday, was sent to an area hospital Wednesday night after he was hit in the shoulder and face by a 96-mph fastball from Tanner Scheppers with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.
Stassi was bleeding when he left the game and was scheduled to spend the night in the hospital.
"That was a very painful way to get your first RBI," Houston manager Bo Porter said following his team's 5-4 loss.
Porter said he didn't know anything more about Stassi's condition. He thought the pitch hit him in the shoulder before hitting the face, which may have lessened the impact.
Stassi, who got his first big league hit Tuesday, was the second consecutive batter hit by Scheppers in the inning, following Matt Dominguez. Scheppers was replaced following the Stassi at-bat.
"You never want to hurt someone like that," Scheppers said. "It's kind of one of those pitches that just got away."
