Bryce Brentz Shoots Himself in Leg, Will Miss Spring Training

Outfield prospect Bryce Brentz isn’t all smiles right now, as a freak accident will keep him out of Boston’s plans for Spring Training. (Image Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

Hoping to make a positive impression during his first Major League Spring Training, Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Bryce Brentz will instead be left out of the team’s plans at camp. The 24 year old reportedly shot himself in the leg a few weeks ago while cleaning a handgun, after the weapon accidentally discharged. The injury was not serious, according to details passed along by WEEI.com’s Alex Speier, but the timing couldn’t have been more unfortunate for Brentz.

The incident occurred after the team’s Rookie Development Camp in early January, according to what Brentz told Speier:

"Everything is fine. After the rookie program I had an accident. Everything is fine, but I was cleaning my gun and it accidentally discharged on me and I sustained an injury. Nothing serious. That’s why I was out of big league camp, because at the time I’m not able to participate fully, but I am recovering very fast and should be ok for the season.That’s all I can really comment on – everything is fine. I’m just recovering and that’s why I’m not able to participate in big league spring training."

Brentz has been in Fort Myers since the start of February. He’s expected to be healthy in time to begin the regular season and it’s possible that Brentz could still have an impact on the team before 2013 concludes.

He spent the bulk of the 2012 season with Double-A, appearing in 127 games. He hit .290/.349/.465 on the year with 17 HR and 30 doubles. Brentz has long been compared to Kansas City’s Jeff Francoeur (strong arm, power potential, too many strikeouts) so there is still plenty of optimism within the Sox organization that he can help in the future.