Former Dodgers star Justin Turner was hit in the face by a pitch Monday while playing a spring training game for his new team, the Boston Red Sox.
Video footage shows Turner bleeding from his face at home plate. Turner walked off the field on his own, but was aided by a member of the Red Sox training staff, who held a towel over the veteran player’s face.
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that Turner was taken to a hospital by ambulance. No other details are available at this time.
Turner faced Detroit Tigers pitcher Matt Manning with two runners up, no outs and a 2-1 strike when the incident occurred in the bottom of the first inning.
Turner spent nine seasons with the Dodgers, becoming a beloved player among fans and a team leader helping LA win a World Series title in 2020, the team’s first since 1988.
The Dodgers declined his $16 million option for 2023, then signed J.D. Martinez on December 17 to effectively replace Turner’s bat right-hander in a mostly designated batting role. Turner signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Red Sox the next day.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
