Plate umpire Nick Mahrley exited the game between the New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning after an unexpected incident involving Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat.
The incident occurred when Stanton connected with a bloop single to left field, causing his bat to shatter. The barrel struck Mahrley on the left side of his mask, dislodging it and leading to immediate concern.
Mahrley collapsed on the field, prompting the New York athletic training staff to rush to his aid.
A medical team arrived promptly, and Mahrley was carefully placed onto a stretcher as the crowd offered their support with applause.
When the game resumed, crew chief Marvin Hudson took over the plate duties, while second base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt shifted to first base.
Mahrley, 41, had previously officiated 473 games as a callup umpire before becoming a full-time umpire last season, showcasing his dedication to the sport.
At the time of Mahrley’s exit, the Yankees were leading the game 4-3, adding an unexpected twist to the matchup.