Orioles Pitcher Shane Baz Leaves Game After Being Struck by 105 mph Line Drive

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Shane Baz was forced to leave a game against the New York Mets on Tuesday night after being struck by a 105.1 mph line drive to the elbow. The incident occurred at Citi Field in the second game of a three-game series.

Mets third baseman Bo Bichette hit a line drive directly back at Baz, who was struck on his right elbow. The impact was severe enough that the ball ricocheted into left field for a base hit. Baz immediately bent over in pain, clutching his arm, and was unable to throw a subsequent warmup pitch, which sailed over the backstop.

Baz was removed from the game but later stated that he believed he could have continued playing with a few more minutes to recover. "It just kind of got me right in the bone, and you know, just kind of just went numb, you know," Baz told reporters after the game. "Really wish I could have stayed in and been able to grind through it, just couldn't really grip the ball."

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz confirmed that Baz was "pretty sore" following the incident. X-rays taken after the game were negative. Baz, who signed a five-year, $68 million deal with the Orioles in the offseason, has made 30 starts this season with a 4.11 ERA. In his four innings pitched against the Mets, he allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks.

The Orioles went on to win the game 7-5 in extra innings. The Mets tied the game in the ninth inning with a home run by Pete Alonso, which marked his 300th career MLB home run. Alonso commented on the significance of the milestone, stating, "There's a lot of history here with me. It doesn't matter where and when, I just want to help the team win. I'm just really, really happy for us to come back the way we did."