Johnny Cueto Injury Update: Giants Star Hit with Line Drive, Initial Observation Reveals No Concussion
Pitcher Johnny Cueto of the San Francisco Giants was lucky to escape a serious head injury in their game against the Oakland Athletics on Monday, right after getting hit right on the head by a line drive. The Giants eventually lost the game, 10-2 and Cueto is expected to undergo some more tests and will be observed for possible concussion.
The incident happened when Athletics batter Billy Burns hit a line drive on Cueto's first pitch, striking the pitcher in the forehead, according to The Guardian. The ball took a ricochet and bounced to the centerfield, allowing Oakland a double.
The 30-year old Dominican baseball star didn't appear to be in pain after the hit but was eventually examined by Giants trainers. He managed to finish his stint with the team saying afterwards that he was only being treated for a bruise in their spring training complex.
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According to The Associated Press, the right-hander did not show any signs of a concussion, even though the hit knocked his cap off. The team monitored his condition for two days but based on the initial observations, he's likely going to be fine.
Talking to reporters after the loss to the Athletics, Giants manager Bruce Bochy reiterated that there is no indication of a concussion. "We are going to monitor him tonight, tomorrow for concussion symptoms, but he's shown no sign of that, so he's just being treated for a contusion," he said.
While Cueto showed he was fine after the hit, his performance the rest of the way wasn't. He immediately allowed a homerun that the Athletics capitalized by scoring three runs, though he also managed to produce two strikeouts at the end of his stint.
Cueto signed one of the biggest contracts for a pitcher in the league this offseason after inking a six-year deal with the Giants that's worth $130 million. He was part of the World Series-winning Kansas City Royals last season before opting to test free agency.
