Braves pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson suffered a harrowing injury in Saturday's Braves-Nationals game (ATL-WAS box score) when he was struck in the face by a pitch from Fernando Rodney during a bunt attempt. Here's the immediate aftermath:
Scary moment: Charlie Culberson just got hit in the face with a pitch after squaring up to bunt. pic.twitter.com/jYRGY0PaU4
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) September 14, 2019
Culberson was on the ground for several minutes in obvious pain, and he appeared to be bleeding. Finally, he was able to stand up and be helped into a waiting cart. The Nationals Park crowd gave him a warm ovation as he left the field:
Charlie Culberson gives a thumbs up while being carted off the field.
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) September 14, 2019
Nationals fans give the @Braves utilityman a standing ovation. pic.twitter.com/PKlamlvoUq
Sunday, the Braves announced that Culberson suffered multiple fractures to facial bones in the cheek area. He will be further evaluated in Atlanta in the coming days for further prognosis, but it's safe to say he'll miss several games, maybe the rest of the regular season.
While Culberson's health is obviously the story here, it's also worth noting that one umpire ruled that Culberson offered at the pitch and was thus given a strike as opposed to first base. This set Atlanta manager Brian Snitker off in a big way (possible NSFW language):
Brian Snitker was understandably furious after umpires called a strike on the pitch that knocked Charlie Culberson out of the game and had to be carted off the field. "Shame on you!" was seemingly one of the few things he said free of profanity. pic.twitter.com/keW4ZXbKwK
— Roger Cormier (@yayroger) September 14, 2019
Snitker was no doubt already upset to see his player suffer such a serious injury, and his frustration at the strike call is understandable in any context. The good news for Snitker and the Braves is that they went on to score four runs in the frame, as Washington manager Davey Martinez made the mistake of leaving in a clearly rattled Rodney.