Boston Red Sox infielder Justin Turner had a scary moment during Monday's spring contest against the Detroit Tigers when he was hit in the face by a pitch from right-hander Matt Manning.
Turner could be seen bleeding on the ground in front of home plate after being struck.
"Just a complete accident," Manning said postgame, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. "The ball got away from me. I got a swing and miss on a ball up in the zone and tried to go back to it. It got away from me. I definitely want to apologize to him and let him know it wasn't intentional."
Red Sox training staff attended to Turner, who was helped off the field while holding a towel against his face and mouth. He was then taken to hospital, where he received treatment for soft-tissue injuries and was monitored for a concussion, the team announced.
Kourtney Turner, Justin's wife, tweeted that he was released from hospital late Monday afternoon after receiving 16 stitches.
The 38-year-old signed a one-year, $15-million deal with the Red Sox in December after spending the past nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.