Oakland Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt is still recovering from a line drive to the head that he took in June, but says he wants to return this year. The A’s are hopeful that they will be able to bring him back soon.
The Oakland Athletics’ Chris Bassitt, sidelined after a line drive to the head during a game on June 4, said he wants to return this year.
THE CITY OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — Chris Bassitt, who was struck in the head by a line drive last week and had his right eye swelled and bruised, is determined to pitch again this season despite the fact that his right eye is still swollen and damaged.
Even though there’s just a little more than a month remaining in the season, Bassitt isn’t ready to rule anything out just yet.
While sitting in the A’s dugout before Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees, Bassitt stated, “The doctors made a mistake in assuring me that I’m going to be OK in a few weeks.”
“‘All right, we’re rocking,’ I replied when they stated that. Obviously, the front office and [manager Bob Melvin] and the rest of the team will go out of their way to make sure I’m taken care of. But, if everything goes as planned, I’d want to be back before the conclusion of the season, and hopefully I will be “he said
Bassitt spoke with the media four days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right cheekbone he sustained on Aug. 17 when he was hit by a 100-mph line drive hit by Brian Goodwin of the Chicago White Sox.
Bassitt was carried off the field and transported to a Chicago hospital, where he was treated for facial wounds and diagnosed with a displaced tripod fracture in his right cheek.
Bassitt returned to the Bay Area on Friday after having surgery at Rush University on Tuesday, and rejoined his teammates on Saturday.
Chris Bassitt returned to the A’s lineup on Saturday after having surgery in Chicago on Tuesday to repair a broken cheekbone sustained when he was hit by a 100 mph line drive. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
“Being among the guys and not feeling like you’re in a room someplace rehabbing is just as therapeutic for him as it is for us,” Melvin said. “Maybe there’s just a little bit of vibe surrounding the men that aids the process.”
Bassitt has no recollection of the event, despite the fact that he has a barely visible tiny scar from the operation.
“I don’t remember being struck, I don’t remember throwing the pitch,” he said. “There’s probably a five-second gap in there where I don’t remember anything, and honestly, I believe that’s a blessing from God.” I don’t want to remember it, I haven’t seen a repeat of it, and I don’t want to watch one in the future. I obviously went through something, but I didn’t experience it. It’s not anything I recall. “I’m happy things turned out the way they did.”
Prior to his injury, the 32-year-old right-hander had been the greatest pitcher for the A’s, finishing 12-4 with a 3.22 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 151 innings. His 12 victories are tied for second most in the American League.
Melvin said he thought about having Bassitt hand out the lineup card to umpires for Saturday’s game, but opted against it.
Bassitt will have a tough time pitching again this season, according to the A’s management.
“We’ll probably have to restrain him, but we won’t do anything that the medical experts, physicians, and trainer say he shouldn’t be doing,” Melvin said. “He’s well aware of that as well.
“He’s a starter as well. To attempt to build up to a new start depending on when he’ll be able to throw again? I’m not sure there’s enough time for that. Really, if he goes on a mound and tosses and feels well by the end of the season, that should be enough to give him confidence for next season. But I wouldn’t put anything beyond him, “he said
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