An umpire was carted off the Yankee Stadium field on a gurney after being struck in the head by Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat during the New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies on Sunday, Aug. 25.
According to CNN, the umpire, Nick Mahrley, made contact with Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat during the bottom of the fifth inning. The bat splintered just above Stanton’s hand as he hit a single into the left field off Colorado Rockies pitcher, Austin Gomber. The bat’s broken barreled then struck Mahrley in his facemask. He collapsed to the ground after the impact and was seen on one knee.
Immediately after the umpire was struck, medical personnel rushed onto the field. It was reported that Mahrley appeared to be conscious as he spoke to the medical personnel behind the home plate. He further remained on one knee as a brace was put on his neck. After nearly 20 minutes, he was put on a gurney and taken off the field. Yankees and Rockies fans alike cheered him on.
“Nick is being evaluated by the Yankees medical staff and is currently going through a full battery of tests,” a Major League Baseball official also stated about Mahrley’s condition.
A source shared that Mahrley was diagnosed with a concussion. He will have additional tests in the next few days. He is not expected to work for part of the next week.
Crew chief Marvin Hudson took over the home plate duties as Mahrley received medical attention. The Yankees then ended up winning the game 10-3.
Mahrley became a full-time major league umpire in 2023. He had worked in the minor leagues since 2007. He was called up to the majors for 473 games. The Colorado Rockies took to X and wrote, “Sending our best to Umpire Nick Mahrley.”
An Umpire Was Struck in the Face During a 2023 Yankees-Guardians Game
Mahrley being struck by Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat comes nearly a year after another umpire was struck in the face during a 2023 Yankees-Guardians game.
According to The Guardian, umpire Larry Vaover was evaluated for a concussion and other injuries after he was struck in the head with a relay throw. Guardians’ second baseman Andrés Giménez was positioned on the infield grass between the second and the mount when he threw the ball that stuck Vanover.
The umpire was hit on the left side of his head.
Major League Baseball stated Vanover was being checked for a head injury “and other potential medical issues. The timeline on his return is to be determined.”
Following the incident, plate umpire Chris Guccione told a pool reporter Vanover had “a pretty good-sized knot” on his head. He’s been taken to Cleveland Clinic.
“They’re going to do a concussion test and it sounded like he was coherent and that he knew kind of what was going on,” Guccione also shared. “But he did have that glazed look on him. He’s going to be at the hospital for the rest of the night maybe.