Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz suffered seven facial fractures and a broken jaw after being struck by a foul ball during Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the severe injuries, he returned to the dugout and remained with his team. Albernaz will need to eat baby food for six weeks as part of his recovery.
The incident occurred in the fifth inning when a foul ball off the bat of Orioles infielder Jeremiah Jackson hit Albernaz in the face. He initially left the dugout for medical evaluation but returned later in the game, even as his team rallied to win 9-7. Albernaz later expressed gratitude for Jackson's performance, including a game-changing grand slam.
Albernaz, in his first season as Orioles manager, emphasized his commitment to his team, stating he would have remained in the dugout even if his jaw had been wired shut. Bench coach Donnie Ecker described Albernaz's condition as stable, noting that the manager stepped away as a precaution. Pitcher Trevor Rogers praised Albernaz's resilience, calling him 'tough' for returning to the dugout.
The Orioles improved to 9-7 with the win, tying the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East. Albernaz's injuries highlight the risks faced by managers and coaches in close proximity to the field.