Royals pitcher Ryan Yarbrough’s start against the A’s ended abruptly on Sunday after he was forced out of the eventual 5–1 home victory following a frightening head injury in the sixth inning.
With Kansas City leading Oakland 2–1, Yarbrough faced his second batter of the inning in A’s first baseman Ryan Noda. The veteran lefty logged a strike and three balls across his first five pitches before Noda cracked his sixth pitch back toward the mound.
The 106.2 mph line drive careened into Yarbrough’s face, causing the pitcher to immediately clutch his head after he fell to the ground. Royals manager Matt Quatraro and K.C.’s training staff tended to Yarbrough for a few moments before he walked to the dugout under his own power with a towel over his face as the home crowd cheered him on.
Scary moment today in the A's-Royals game 😳
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 7, 2023
KC pitcher Ryan Yarbrough was hit in the head by a 106 mph comebacker. The Royals said he left alert and is undergoing testing. pic.twitter.com/156UjeODYi
A scary moment in the game as Ryan Yarbrough was hit in the face with a line drive.
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 7, 2023
The Royals' starter was able to get up walk off the field with some assistance. pic.twitter.com/6EOSDjQx0M
Prior to exiting, Yarbrough, who was replaced by reliever Carlos Hernandez, compiled two strikeouts while allowing one run and zero walks in 5.2 innings of work.
After the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro described the emotional response from the team after Yarbrough went down. He also provided an update on the 31-year-old’s condition, telling reporters he’s “alert” and currently being evaluated by the team.
“It was scary. I mean the dugout went silent,” Quatraro said. “I can’t think of a worse thing to see on the field. Luckily, when we got out there he was talking and aware of what was going on and what had happened.
“As far as how he’s doing, he’s alert and they’ve taken him to get some testing.”
Matt Quatraro provides an update on Ryan Yarbrough: "It was scary. I mean the dugout went silent ... luckily when we got out there he was talking and aware of what was going on ... as far as how he's doing, he's alert and they've taken him to get some testing." #Royals pic.twitter.com/FNbYhtW3Ch
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) May 7, 2023
With Yarbrough’s return to the team unknown at this time, the Royals will likely enter the week re-evaluating their bullpen in case they need a fill-in starter for the time being.
On the season, Yarbrough (1–4) has pitched 26.1 innings and recorded 14 K’s with a 6.15 ERA in 10 games.
