Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo left Wednesday's start against the Texas Rangers after being hit in the forehead by Brandon Nimmo's 107-mph line drive.
Lugo fell to the ground and quickly developed a gigantic welt on his forehead, though he managed to get up and walk off the field under his own power after being checked by trainers. Nimmo, who was credited with a single after the ball caromed into right field, immediately ran to the mound to make sure Lugo - his former New York Mets teammate - was OK.
(Video source: MLB.com)
The Royals later announced Lugo was "doing well" and would "undergo the appropriate protocol and testing." The club said Thursday that Lugo's CT scan was clear and that he'll continue to be monitored.
"Squared me up on the forehead pretty good," Lugo said Thursday, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers. "Didn't lose consciousness or anything. I felt the swelling pretty quick. I feel all right. Get up, regroup. I know after getting hit in the head, you're coming out of the game, so there's no point in arguing.
"That's a pitcher's nightmare. I was very, very lucky that it was kind of a glancing blow instead of straight on. I think the ricochet was a really good thing. I'm obviously happy about that."
Lugo, 36, owns a 3.86 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 66 strikeouts across 14 starts this season.
Mason Black entered the game in relief of Lugo and ultimately allowed Nimmo to score when he issued a bases-loaded walk to Evan Carter.
