Reds' Arroyo leaves game after being hit in head by throw

Cincinnati Reds starter Bronson Arroyo was struck in the face by a throw from catcher Devin Mesoraco in the second inning of a spring training game against the Texas Rangers Saturday.

Rangers outfielder Drew Robinson reached first base on a walk from Arroyo.

Robinson followed it up by attempting to steal second base. During the steal attempt, Mesoraco's throw connected with his pitcher's head. Arroyo was promptly removed from the game. The 40-year-old pitcher has a welt on his jaw, but said he wanted to stay in the game, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He is not in concussion protocol.

Arroyo has not pitched in a regular-season game since 2014 when he started 14 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2014 after never previously being put on the disabled list for his entire 14-year career.

He spent time between the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals organizations since the injury, but has not yet made it back to major-league baseball. He signed a minor-league contract with the Reds in February, the team he pitched for from 2006 through 2013.

In his previous stint with the Reds, he went 105-94 with a 4.05 ERA.

While his strikeout totals and ERA were unremarkable, he was a reliable arm due to the innings he could consume. He averaged 211 innings per season over his eight years in Cincinnati.

Arroyo has allowed two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings this spring.