Culbreth Leaves Game with 11th Inning Collarbone Injury

Umpire Fieldin Culbreth suffered a foul ball injury to the collarbone and was forced to exit Tuesday evening's Brewers-Pirates game in extra innings. With none out and none on in the top of the 11th frame, Brewers batter Yuniesky Betancourt fouled a 0-1 fastball from Pirates pitcher Vin Mazzaro straight back, out of the

Culbreth clutched his neck immediately.

reach of catcher Russell Martin's glove and off of Culbreth's upper torso, the ball wedging between the crew chief's chest protector and face mask before falling to the side, the wedging action suggesting that the ball's entire kinetic energy was transferred to Culbreth's neck and collarbone area.

Culbreth and the Pirates medical staff exited the field through the home dugout, towards the Pittsburgh clubhouse, presumably for x-rays; while some suggested a broker collarbone, MLB did not immediately release the nature of Culbreth's injury. After a brief delay, Bill Welke took over behind home plate.

Coincidentally, Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke, who fractured his collarbone during an April 11 brawl (Ejections 003, 004, 005, 006: Sam Holbrook (1, 2, 3, 4)) against the Padres, returns from his injury for the first time on Wednesday. Greinke's fractured clavicle kept him out of baseball for over a month, causing him to miss a total of 29 team games, albeit as a starter he likely missed just six.

Greinke's injury also surrounded a suspension, as Padres batter Carlos Quentin was suspended eight games for his part in the April 11 fight. Greinke's injury may have played a role in him not receiving a suspension.

Culbreth's two-game suspension as a result of a botched rule application has yet to be served. Culbreth was back to work Wednesday, serving as third base umpire for the Milwaukee-Pitt nightcap.

Video: Fieldin Culbreth is struck in unprotected neck, leaves game with injury (PIT)