Spring Injury - Paul Emmel Clipped by Flying Bat

The first injury of Spring Training befell HP Umpire Paul Emmel in Florida's Grapefruit League, as the newly minted Crew Chief was struck by an errant bat on the final day of February.

Emmel in 2016. Tuesday's game not televised.

With one out in the top of the 3rd inning of the Blue Jays-Pirates, Blue Jays Reese McGuire swung and missed at a third strike from Pirates pitcher Brett McKinney, losing his grip on the bat and sending the barrel spinning backward, where it struck Emmel.

Emmel was replaced behind home plate by 2B Umpire Jeremie Rehak, while 1B Umpire Bill Welke and 3B Umpire John Bacon manned the corners in a three-person alignment. H/T: Bill Brink

Removed from the Toronto-Pittsburgh game for precautionary reasons, Emmel most recently left June 23, 2016's Athletics-Angels game after being cut above the forehead by a flying bat in Anaheim. After receiving stitches to close the wound, Emmel sat out 12 days before returning to play on July 8.

Date of Injury: February 28, 2017 | Return to Play: March 2, 2017 | Total Time Absent: One day.