Umpire hit in face by line drive, taken to hospital

MINNEAPOLIS -- Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt went to a infirmary for further introspection connected Wednesday aft helium was struck successful the look down archetypal basal by a enactment thrust foul ball.

Wendelstedt instantly deed the crushed aft helium took a nonstop deed from the enactment smash disconnected the bat of New York Mets halfway fielder Tyrone Taylor successful the seventh inning. Both Taylor and Twins right-hander Louis Varland winced instantly aft seeing wherever the shot deed Wendelstedt, who is successful his 28th large league play arsenic an umpire.

Crew main Todd Tichenor told a excavation newsman aft the crippled that Wendelstedt was coherent and speaking but going done a concussion protocol.

"Hopefully it's conscionable immoderate stitches is what I'm thinking," Tichenor said.

The 53-year-old Wendelstedt was down for a infinitesimal portion being tended to by Twins aesculapian unit and was capable to dilatory locomotion disconnected connected his own, pressing a towel against the near broadside of his head. Second basal umpire Adam Hamari moved to archetypal connected the three-man unit for the remainder of the game.

Major League Baseball said Wendelstedt was undergoing further tests.

"We are encouraged that helium was successful bully spirits erstwhile helium was successful interaction with our aesculapian staff," MLB said. "We volition proceed to show his status."

The incidental spooked everyone connected the field, careless of which azygous they were wearing.

"It made america each halt and think," Tichenor said. "That deed him coagulated successful the head. It was scary."

Said Twins archetypal baseman Ty France: "It happened truthful fast. Just praying for a speedy betterment for him due to the fact that you ne'er privation to spot thing similar that happen."

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli besides expressed his concern.

"I would similar to privation him the champion and accidental we're each reasoning astir him," Baldelli said. "I was gladsome to spot him locomotion disconnected the tract nether his ain power. That was amended than the alternative. We anticipation he's OK."

Major League Baseball has required basal coaches to deterioration helmets since 2008, the twelvemonth aft the decease of Mike Coolbaugh, who was killed aft being struck successful the cervix by a enactment thrust portion coaching archetypal basal successful a insignificant league crippled for a Texas Rangers affiliate.

Tichenor said helium didn't deliberation umpires needed to commencement wearing helmets.

"This 1 was conscionable 100 mph disconnected the bat," Tichenor said. "We're taught to spell other the ball. He conscionable went into the ball. It happens. We each bash it. It conscionable doesn't deed him successful the caput usually."