‘Sick to my stomach’: Blood spurts from baseball star Kevin Pillar after he takes 94mph pitch straight to the face (VIDEO)
New York Mets star Kevin Pillar has reassured concerned fans that he is “doing fine” after collapsing in a bloodied heap when he took a 94mph fastball to the face against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.
In the batter’s box in the seventh inning at Truist Park, Pillar was caught flush in the face by a pitch from Jacob Webb which caused him to slump to the ground, immediately clutching his face.
Kevin Pillar was just drilled in the face by a pitch and immediately left the game in Atlanta.Hoping for the best 🙏 pic.twitter.com/T67yrlkWoU
— UNB! Sports MLB (@unbsportsmlb) May 18, 2021
The concern among fellow players was evident as blood spurted from Pillar’s nose. Pitcher Webb was seen turning away in horror, unable to watch as he crouched on the mound.
Pillar eventually managed to get to his feet and walk off the field unaided as the blood took several minutes to be cleared up before the game could resume.
Kevin Pillar was just hit in the face by Jacob Webb with a fastball. The look here by Webb says it all. #Mets Pillar was gushing blood but able to walk off the field shortly after. This was awful!!! Everyone hoping Pillar is going to be okay. pic.twitter.com/LolprCf3jP
— Paul Byrd (@PaulByrd36) May 18, 2021
There was a lot of blood after Pillar was hit in the face. The grounds crew tending to it before game continued. pic.twitter.com/BAUWWM1oDG
— Zach Haberman (@ZHaberman) May 18, 2021
It was later confirmed that the Mets star, 32, had been taken to hospital for a CT, although he posted a message to fans assuring them that he was doing well.
“Thanks to everyone that has reached out!” Pillar tweeted after the game. “Scary moment, but I’m doing fine.”
Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine! #RBI#gamewinner 👍🏽👍🏽
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 18, 2021
Silence fell across the ballpark after the frightening incident, with fellow players admitting their fears.
"Devastating," said Mets catcher Tomas Nido. "I was sick to my stomach."
“You wonder if he’s OK," added teammate James McCann.
"The thought of standing in the box, the normal person doesn’t realize how fast that ball is coming in there and how quick you have to react.
“It was just one of those things, that ball looked like it was chasing him.”
Fans, fellow players and pundits online also expressed their horror at the scenes and wished the Mets man a swift recovery.
Others praised Pillar’s toughness for recovering and walking off the field unaided.
Won’t be posting that vid, but Kevin Pillar just took 94 to the face and was gushing blood from his nose immediately. Walked off without any help. Hope he’s okay. That’s one tough dude to walk off on his own power like that. Very scary scene.
— Jerry Slapshot (@Jared_Carrabis) May 18, 2021
Kevin Pillar is one tough dude.Hope he’s alright. Wow. pic.twitter.com/BpV0pTNWWo
— Amazin' Army (@WE_ARE_MET_FANS) May 18, 2021
The Mets earned a 3-1 victory to snap a three-game losing streak, although thoughts were very much centered on Pillar and his recovery.
An update on Tuesday from reporter Steve Gelbs stated that Pillar had suffered "multiple nasal fractures" and would be "meeting with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine next steps."
Kevin Pillar is at the hospital to get a CT scan. Thinking of our guy, @KPILLAR4. 🙏 #LGMpic.twitter.com/UeKBHlfQoA
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 18, 2021
Update on Kevin Pillar:Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures. He will be meeting today with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine next steps.
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) May 18, 2021
