Miami Marlins All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton was back in Miami on Friday, hours after he was struck in the face by a pitch.
Stanton sustained multiple facial fractures, dental damage and a laceration that needed stitches after being hit by Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Mike Fiers' 88 mph fastball under the left eye in the fifth inning of Thursday night's 4-2 loss.
With his father and aunt in the front row at Miller Park, Stanton remained on the ground for several minutes in pain and with blood dripping from his mouth. Training and medical staffs of both teams attended to him until he was driven off in an ambulance to Froedtert Hospital.
"I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the emergency room, and honestly, Giancarlo was very calm," general manager Dan Jennings said during FOX Sports Florida's Friday telecast. "There was a lady there that pulled up all the imagery and X-rays and CTs and explained everything in layman's terms. Giancarlo was very coherent and he listened and asked questions. I just thought it was pretty remarkable to sustain this type of injury. Thankfully if it had to happen it hit him where it did and it could have been worse as hard as it is to believe. It certainly could have been worse than it was. We're just hoping for a speedy recovery and that all the medical procedures go according to plan and he's back and as good as Big G can be."
FOX Sports Florida's Craig Minervini was told owner Jeffrey Loria called MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and got the best plastic surgeon in Milwaukee to the hospital within 30 minutes of his arrival.
Stanton, his father and head athletic trainer Sean Cunningham flew back to Miami on Friday morning on a private jet provided by Loria. The 24-year-old was evaluated by team doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital and was also set to see a dentist for five "compromised teeth," according to Jennings.
Friday afternoon, Stanton tweeted he was feeling better and thanked supporters for their well wishes. His teammates hung his orange No. 27 jersey in the dugout for their game in Philadelphia against the Phillies.
Several teammates and coaches had reached out to Stanton to send their well wishes. Jennings said as he entered the emergency room, ace Jose Fernandez was calling his phone. Manager Mike Redmond texted Stanton Friday morning, and right-handed reliever A.J. Ramos received a text from Stanton at 6:45 a.m.
"Kept it short and wanted to make sure he knew we were thinking about him," Ramos told FOX Sports Florida. "I wanted to make sure he was OK. Just joking around and stuff and say he's going to need a crazy mask and making fun of him like that. Being able to joke around with him like that reassured me everything is going to be fine and OK."
Following Thursday's 4-2 loss, Redmond said he expected the injury to end the National League MVP candidate's season. Stanton leads the NL with 37 homers and 105 RBI and had played in each of the club's 145 games.
"It's devastating for us," Redmond told reporters in Milwaukee on Thursday night. "Devastating. For his season to end like that, I mean, that's not good."
However, Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan noted via Twitter that Stanton hopes to return before season's end.
"When I walked into his room last night, the first thing he says to me is, 'DJ, I'll be back, and I'll be back soon,'" Jennings said. "We all think he has a gold 'S' on his chest anyways. When he knows that his teammates had his back he was proud of what that represented to him. That speaks volumes and just a classy kid, certainly an unbelievable talent. In all of our eyes, he's definitely the MVP of this league."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
