Royals Place Ryan Yarbrough on IL With Facial Fractures

The sixth-year pitcher was struck in the head by a line drive Sunday afternoon.

The Royals are placing pitcher Ryan Yarbrough on the injured list with head fractures after he was struck by a line drive Sunday afternoon, the team announced Monday afternoon.

In the sixth inning of Kansas City’s 5–1 win over the Athletics at Kauffman Stadium, Oakland first baseman Ryan Noda’s comebacker hit Yarbrough flush in the face. The sixth-year pitcher immediately dropped to the ground and was escorted off the field by trainers while covering his face.

Yarbrough, 31, is 1–4 with a 6.15 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched this season—his first with Kansas City after signing a one-year contract on Dec. 13.

After yesterday's game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters Yarbrough was alert and receiving medical attention.

“I can’t think of a worse thing to see on the field,” Quatraro said. “Luckily, when we got out there he was talking and aware of what was going on and what had happened.”

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/PwtfSQwImt

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 8, 2023

Kansas City is currently 9–26, 10 games behind the first-place Twins in the AL Central.