In an eventful game between the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday in Tampa, Florida, Miami’s starting pitcher, Ryan Weathers, experienced a surprising incident during the game’s early stages. As the Marlins’ catcher Nick Fortes made a routine throw to second base following the final warm-up pitch before the bottom of the first inning, the ball unintentionally struck Weathers on the top of his head, knocking his cap off.
The unexpected hit caused Weathers to reach for his head and fall to the mound. He was face down while athletic trainers quickly attended to him. Despite the scare, Weathers, the son of veteran reliever David Weathers, managed to continue, pitching three innings. Reflecting on the incident later, Weathers expressed relief that the ball hit him on the top of the head rather than a more vulnerable area, saying he felt “good” after the game.
Weathers managed to complete the first inning efficiently, using only eight pitches. Nevertheless, he was replaced after the third inning for “precautionary reasons” as cited by the Rays. Overall, he threw 57 pitches, allowing four runs (three of them earned), three hits, and one walk. The team announced plans for further evaluation to ensure his well-being.
Discussing the experience, Weathers admitted to feeling somewhat disconnected and overwhelmed due to the adrenaline rush from the unexpected incident, likening it to a chaotic scene from an episode of ‘SpongeBob’. This felt like the right moment to step away from the game, deemed necessary under the circumstances.
In the aftermath of the incident, Fortes appeared visibly shaken, but Weathers reassured him that he was alright. “I’m fine,” Weathers told Fortes, reinforcing his commitment to continue supporting his team. Despite the unusual nature of the day, Weathers was satisfied with the outcome, as the Marlins ultimately claimed victory, winning 11-10 in an intense 10-inning game.