ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 18: Kevin Pillar #11 of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after presenting the lineups at homeplate prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Pillar took a 95 mph fastball to the face on May 17, 2021 against the Braves. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin Pillar, an outfielder for the New York Mets, has sustained multiple nasal fractures. This occurred on Monday night as Jacob Webb of the Atlanta Braves drilled him in the face with a 94.5 MPH pitch.
“I feel good, actually. Despite not looking so good, I feel as close to normal as possible,” said Pillar to the media. He did state, however, that he is experiencing “a little bit of swelling” in his right eye and that he “can’t really breathe out of [his] nose.”
Pillar even made an appearance at the Mets facility just one day following this incident. Pillar told Mets manager Luis Rojas and Braves manager Brian Snitker that he would have played in the contest “If [he] could see a little better.” Pillar even brought out the lineup card for the Mets’ Tuesday game.
“It was such a scary moment, It’s unbelievable that he’s here and walking around,” Rojas told media outlets.
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Nevertheless, Pillar was still placed on the 10-day injured list. Pillar spent Monday night at a nearby hospital, where he underwent examination and a CT scan. Pillar also met with a facial specialist in Atlanta, who advised him on the recommended next steps. He joins a lengthy list of injured players on the Mets, as Taijuan Walker was also forced to exit the game on Monday with muscle tightness.
Pillar holds no grudge with Webb, telling reporters that “I know this guy didn’t want to hit me, didn’t want to hit me in the face” and that “accidents do happen. I know he feels bad. Me and him talked last night and today,”
“I wasn’t trying to hit him,” Webb confirmed. “It definitely came out of my hand weird. I knew right away when I threw it.”
“Glad he’s doing alright and hoping for a speedy recovery for him” offered Webb, who has expressed his guilt in the situation.
Wilfredo Tovar, Syracuse Infielder, has been chosen to fill in for Pillar while he makes a recovery from the incident.
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