CHICAGO -- Oakland Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt has been released from a Chicago hospital but will require surgery on a broken bone in his face after he was hit by a line drive during a game, the Major League Baseball club said on Wednesday.
The ace right-hander, who was injured during a Tuesday game in Chicago, received two stitches for facial lacerations and was diagnosed with a "displaced tripod fracture" in his right cheek, the Athletics said in a statement.
According to the Athletics, an exam of Bassitt's right eye was normal for vision and no other damage was noted in the eye or orbital bone. In addition, the team said a computerized tomography scan revealed no further head injury.
Bassitt, who earned his first All-Star selection this year, posted a message on Twitter giving thanks for all the support he has received and said he "can't wait to get back!"
Bassitt, 32, was taken off the field in the second inning after being struck in the head by a line drive reportedly travelling at 100 miles per hour.
With runners on first and second and no outs, Chicago's Brian Goodwin lined a 1-1 pitch up the middle. The ball sharply struck Bassitt, whose momentum had taken him toward first base after delivering the pitch.
Bassitt immediately fell to the ground where he remained for several minutes after being hit.
Trainers from both teams rushed to the pitcher's mound helping apply towels to the pitcher's bloodied face. The pitcher was helped onto a cart and taken off the field while shaken teammates looked on, many having taken a knee or holding their hands in a prayerful gesture.
Bassitt was accompanied by his wife, Jess, to the hospital.
"Chris will be better than ever and back to doing what he loves soon, and thanks everyone for their prayers and support," Meister Sports Management, the agency that represents Bassitt, said in a statement. "Things like this remind us that in most ways we are of one heart and one mind."
Bassitt is 12-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 25 starts this season. He owns a 31-25 record with a 3.49 ERA in 104 career appearances (91 starts) with the White Sox and Athletics.
