Injury Scout - Joe West Bloodied by Bat, Returns to Game

HP Umpire Joe West left, then returned to, Thursday's game in Washington, DC after being bloodied by a flying bat early on.

In the bottom of the 1st inning of the Nationals-Blue Jays game (Toronto as the home team), Jays batter Bo Bichette swung and fouled a first-pitch fastball from Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde, releasing his bat on the follow-through, whereupon it clipped West in the left temple, causing the senior-most MLB umpire to bleed and receive medical attention. After a short delay, West left the game and walked off the field under his own power.

2B Umpire Vic Carapazza replaced West behind home plate for the remainder of the contest, with 1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt serving as acting crew chief and 3B Umpire Stu Scheurwater remaining at the hot corner in a three-person alignment.

The Blue Cowboy Came Back: West returned to the field to begin the top of the 3rd inning, and Scheurwater assumed the 2B Umpire position for the remaining innings.

Relevant Injury History: There is no relevant injury history. Updates will be forthcoming.

Last Game: July 30 | Return to Play: July 30 | Time Absent: 1.5 innings | Video as follows:


Alternate Link: West is hit in the side of the head by Bo's bat (TOR)