Less than 24 hours after being struck in the head by a 98.9 mph cutter, one Royals player was back in the lineup on Monday, leading off and playing third base. Despite the frightening incident, he wasted no time making an impact on the game, recording three hits and driving in two runs in the Royals’ 11-1 victory over the Brewers.
The player in question? Jonathan India, the Royals’ infielder/outfielder, who had made it clear before the team even left for Milwaukee that he wanted to be in the lineup. Royals manager Matt Quatraro explained, “With a guy like that, who is ultra-competitive, if he’s that determined to be in there, it sends a strong message to the team about what it takes to be a championship-caliber player.”
India’s quick recovery didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates, either. Royals catcher Salvador Perez was in awe of the 26-year-old’s resilience. “It’s something I’ve never seen in my career,” Perez said. “He’s one of the toughest guys I know. To get hit in the head by a 99-100 mph fastball and play the next day—not just play, but get three hits and help the team win—that’s incredible.”
The hit that left India shaken came when a fastball struck him squarely on the left side of his head, near the temple. Fortunately, his helmet absorbed much of the impact, and it appeared that he had avoided serious injury. Still, the Royals remained cautious, keeping a close eye on him for any delayed concussion symptoms as he returned to the field.
Before flying out to Milwaukee, India underwent a CAT scan, which revealed no fractures or bleeding, and he showed no concussion symptoms on Sunday night or Monday. “That was a tough one yesterday,” India said, reflecting on the scary moment. “It was very scary, but I lucked out. Nothing was wrong with my face. I was able to play, and I wanted to play.”
The emotional aftermath of the hit was palpable, not just for India but for the entire Royals dugout. “I was pissed afterward,” India admitted. “It’s part of baseball when pitchers throw high and in like that. They should be reprimanded for it, but it’s part of the game.” Despite the lingering frustration, India was determined to return to action the next day.
In an unexpected twist, Cleveland reliever Emmanuel Clase reached out to Perez to apologize, explaining that the pitch had slipped out of his hand due to cold weather. “He reached out to me and said there was nothing on purpose,” Perez said. “It’s a scary situation for everybody. I don’t want anyone getting hit in the head.”
Despite the emotional charge surrounding the incident, Quatraro emphasized that there was no reason to believe the pitch was intentional. “You see a guy get hit in the head, and your main concern is his well-being,” Quatraro said. “It’s emotional, given how close the ball came to causing serious harm.”
On the roster front, the Royals made a separate move when they placed outfielder Dairon Blanco on the 10-day injured list due to right Achilles tendinopathy, which had flared up again after a play on Sunday. Blanco, known for his blazing speed, will be tough to replace. However, infielder/outfielder Tyler Tolbert was called up from Triple-A Omaha to fill his spot. Tolbert, who boasts 243 stolen bases over six minor league seasons, will make his Major League debut after a long day of travel.
“I’m just being fearless out there, trying to get that extra 90 feet,” Tolbert said. “I want to make the hitter’s job easier by getting in scoring position.”
