Yankees' Bryan Mitchell hit by line drive, placed on concussion DL

New York Yankees pitcher Bryan Mitchell left Monday night’s game after he was hit in the face by a line drive. He was placed on the disabled list with a concussion.

New York Yankees pitcher Bryan Mitchell has been placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list after he was struck in the face by a line drive, the team announced Tuesday. 

In the top of the second inning of Monday night’s 8–7 win over the Twins, Minnesota shortstop Eduardo Nunez hit a sharp line drive right back to Mitchell. Before Mitchell could react, the ball struck him in the face and caromed into centerfield. According to MLB’s Statcast data, the ball left Nunez’s bat at 103 mph. 

Mitchell was taken to a local hospital, where it was determined he suffered a small nasal fracture, the team said. He was released from the hospital in under two hours and was back in the clubhouse by the time the game ended, manager Joe Girardi said. The team said Monday night that Mitchell would be monitored to see if he developed symptoms of a concussion. 

Mitchell never lost consciousness, though he was left with blood pouring from his face. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, holding a towel to his face to absorb the blood. 

Video of the incident can be seen here. 

Mitchell, 24, has pitched primarily out of the bullpen this season. He was called on to start Monday’s game to give the Yankees’ five-man rotation an extra day of rest. 

Nunez’s hit drove in a run, the only one Mitchell allowed in 1 2/3 innings. Mitchell was replaced by Caleb Cotham, who the Yankees sent down to Triple A after the game. Chris Capuano and Nick Rumbelow were called up to take the two open spots on the roster. 

- Dan Gartland