It was a scary scene in Pittsburgh on Monday when starting pitcher Jakob Junis was taken to the hospital via ambulance after being struck in the neck by a batted ball during batting practice at PNC Park.
“He is conscious, alert and responsive,” the Brewers said in a statement on X. “He was sent tot he hospital for further evaluation.”
There was footage of the ambulance leaving the field:
According to multiple reports, Junis was struck near the warning track and went down immediately. He was being tended to for 15 minutes before being lifted into an ambulance. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg, the 31-year-old was alert during this process.
Junis had been on the injured list earlier this month for quite some time dealing with a right shoulder impingement. He was dealing with a “scratchy” shoulder during spring training and was feeling something similar after his 2024 debut. He has been traveling with the team since and was resuming throwing on flat ground.
There wasn’t an initial timetable on his return from the IL placement.
Junis was acquired by the Brewers this offseason on a one-year deal. The veteran right hander had just one start this season, but struck out four in just as many innings giving up three hits in the Apr. 2, 3-2, win over the Minnesota Twins.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.