Shane Baz injury was the central concern Tuesday night after the Baltimore Orioles right-hander was struck on the elbow by a 105.1 mph line drive at Citi Field during a game against the New York Mets.
According to the team, Mets third baseman Bo Bichette lined an 83 mph knuckle-curve back to the mound in the fifth inning, hitting Baz on his right elbow before the ball caromed into left field for a single. Baz immediately bent over, dropped his glove and grabbed his arm, later telling reporters his arm went numb.
“It got me right on the bone and just went numb,” Baz said. He added that he wanted to stay in but could not grip the ball.
The 27-year-old attempted a few warmup pitches after a brief delay, but he lacked feel and control and the Orioles opted to remove him as a precaution.
Baz’s final line before exiting was four innings with three runs allowed on seven hits and two walks. Baltimore went on to win 7-5 in extra innings.
Shane Baz injury updates and season context
Baz joined Baltimore on a five-year, 68 million dollar contract in the offseason. He has been durable in his first year with the club, making 30 starts and logging 173 innings with a 4.11 ERA. He is 6-15, tied with Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee for the most losses in the majors.
With the victory, the Orioles stayed three games behind the Guardians for the American League’s final Wild Card position. The club hopes Baz recovers quickly to make his remaining starts during the postseason push.