Baseball is known for weird injuries, but Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk may have suffered the weirdest of the season.
One of the special things about baseball is that anything can happen within a game; on any given night, both a first-time fan and life-long season ticket holder could witness something truly unique to that game itself, making it memorable in its own way. One of those ‘anything can happen’ moments took place involving Randal Grichuk of the Toronto Blue Jays in Sunday’s matinée contest against the Cleveland Indians. In the fourth inning, Tribe utility player Brandon Guyer, who was the most-hit batsmen in ’15-16, popped up a Thomas Pannone fastball sky-high towards the foul territory past first base.
With a lead-footed Justin Smoak in tow, Grichuk tracks the ball at full speed from right field and makes a last-minute foot-first dive. Unfortunately for Grichuk, he slid directly into a looming security guard, whose metal stool collided directly with Grich’s face as he tried making a play on the ball.
Freak injury for Randal Grichuk. As he was sliding to make a catch in foul territory, Grichuk’s face hit off the stool the security guard was trying to pull out of the way. He’s out of the game. Update from team coming later.
— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) September 9, 2018
Grichuk sent the security guard flying and found himself laying face-first on the turf after he didn’t come up with the catch. Blue Jays trainer Nikki Huffman hustled out to check on Grichuk, whose face suffered the worst of it and determined the right fielder needed to be pulled from the game to undergo further testing.
Randal Grichuk exits today's game in the top of the 4th inning.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 9, 2018
We will update his status when we have more information.
Placed in routine concussion evalution, Grichuk received inital concussion tests, a CT scan, and follow-up imaging on his face. The Blue Jays medical staff determined Grichuk passed concussion protocol, and his CT scans revealed he didn’t suffer any facial fractures. Fortunate to have escaped without a concussion or serious head injury, Grich was left with multiple facial contusions and abrasions — also known as “cuts and scrapes” in athlete terms.
While Grichuk is considered day-to-day and is receiving further evaluation on Monday, it seems like he was able to escape any significant injury. He was in good condition after the game, though he had to suffer jabs from his teammates and coaches in light of one of the most freak injuries a sports fan will ever see. Manager John Gibbons took no exception in sending banter Grichuk’s way.
"He's a pretty boy, man. You don't want to hurt that face." Gibbons on Randal Grichuk. #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@GregorChisholm) September 9, 2018
Blue Jays fans, meanwhile, were glad to hear Grichuk was healthy, though the team’s 6-2 win (and series split) over Cleveland and Rowdy Tellez‘s blazing bat provided bigger weekend storylines. As the team sits 13 games below .500 in what has been a lost season, Grichuk’s injury encapsulated Toronto’s bleak summer.
Just got home and heard that Randal Grichuk was injured by A STOOL.
— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) September 9, 2018
Your 2018 Toronto Blue Jays, folks.
With the Toronto Blue Jays getting an off day Monday, Grichuk gets extra time to heal from undoubtedly the weirdest injury he’s suffered in his career, and will hopefully be back in time to face (gulp) Chris Sale and the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday.