Masahiro Tanaka struck in head by line drive, CT scan comes back clean (updated)

The Yankees held their first official workout today, and they were instantly greeted by a terrifying moment.

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka took the mound for live batting practice shortly after 3:30 PM. He faced Giancarlo Stanton, who hit a line drive that struck Tanaka’s head. The ball appears to have connected directly in the front right side of his head.

Tanaka collapsed and was tended to by training staff for several moments. He sat up and walked off the field under his own power. Here’s the scene when Tanaka departed, as captured by Marly Rivera:

The Yankees did not have a protective L-net up for Tanaka, which is not unusual. They were trying to recreate game conditions in a live batting practice environment. That said, it’s hard to believe a net could have protected him. The ball traveled too fast for him to react.

We’ll have more on this as it develops.

Thankfully he appeared responsive and could walk. Hopefully he’s okay. We’re thinking about Tanaka today.

Update (7:31 PM): According to Meredith Marakovits, Tanaka has been hospitalized with concussion-like symptoms. A CT scan came back clean, which is fantastic. Lindsey Adler says that he will undergo observations for a few more hours—namely for a concussion protocol—but he is expected to get released tonight. “We feel like we’re getting good news on that front,’ Aaron Boone told her.