Keep Aroldis Chapman in your thoughts and prayers.

[Tobywan]

Hope this doesn't end up causing permanent injury.

Photos and clips I have seen look really frightening.

[redsfan28]

Said to have gotten him just above the left eye. Preliminary results showed a fracture above that eye and to his nose.

[missionhockey21]

That is so scary. You have to wonder if a death (hopefully not) ever occurs, if pitchers could go to some sort of clear visor/helmet system, like in hockey.

[redsfan28]

I would say that most pitchers wouldn't go that far. They might experiment with the padded cap (which wouldn't have helped in this situation), but when you have Brandon McCarthy (the poster-boy for come-backers to the dome) pass on the padded cap, then most will follow suit.

[redsfan28]

Update on Chapman:

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman undergoing surgery to insert plate in his head - ESPN

Other than inserting the plate, no major injury. Should be back in 6 to 8 weeks.

[Tobywan]

Maybe it's just me but having a plate inserted in one's head sounds pretty major to me.

I agree that it appears the padded hats would have to be made mandatory before pitchers will use them. The Rays pitchers tried them after the incident at the Trop with Toronto's JP Happ and their own Alex Cobb and they didn't like the feel of them. Until they can find a way to make them light enough and comfortable enough along with actually providing real safety, I doubt any will bother on their own.

[redsfan28]

I guess major is a relative term. In terms of long-term medical problems, they do not expect any. Short-term, the plate surgery would be a bit major.

[HollywoodLeo]

Of all the pitches thrown in the long history of the game compared to the number of times a pitcher has been struck in the head by a line drive I'd say the chances of that happening are astronomically low.

I realize it's a major issue when it does happen, but we don't start errecting safety barriers around our dishwashers after somebody trips and falls on an exposed knife after opening it.

My point is, it's a very rare ocurrence that sucks when it does happen but we don't need to overreact.

If they can invent some kind of padded hat that doesn't mess with the dynamics of pitching then I say why not and implement them. But anything that would have protected Chapman in this instance is anything that would be too much.

[Tobywan]

Good point Leo. Most of the recent hits have been right square in the face, nothing short of a face mask would do any good. I guess I just have girly hormones and hate to see anyone seriously get hurt unless they are serial killers, terrorists or a certain owner a South Florida baseball team.