Diamondbacks’ Chris Iannetta Was Struck In Face By 93 MPH Fastball

Chris Iannetta experienced most baseball players’ worst nightmare.

The Arizona Diamondbacks catcher was hit in the face with a fastball Friday during his team’s 11-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Iannetta was batting in the seventh inning when Johnny Barbato’s wayward 93-MPH fastball struck him in the mouth.

Iannetta remained on the ground for several minutes but eventually left the field under his own power. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and the Diamondbacks have yet to make a statement about his condition.

Barbato said after the game he didn’t intend to hit Iannetta, according to MLB.com’s Adam Berry.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo agrees.

Players rarely suffer such a cruel fate in the batter’s box, but this danger often is just a slippery grip away.

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images