Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (15) reacts after being injured in a collision at first base. (Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports)
Tim Hudson had to be carted off the field Wednesday when he suffered a leg injury that can only be described as hard to watch.
The 38-year-old Atlanta Braves pitcher was in the midst of a stellar outing (7.2 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, 9 Ks) against the New York Mets when he ran to cover first base on a routine play. Hudson reeled in the catch to record the out in plenty of time, but Mets left fielder Eric Young Jr. stepped on Hudson’s right ankle while running out the play. Hudson almost instantaneously crumpled to the ground.
WARNING — The video of Hudson’s injury is graphic:
Young was visibly shaken up after the play, and it’s easy to see why. Hudson eventually was carted off the field with what the Braves determined was a fractured right ankle. The team said Hudson would undergo surgery once his swelling goes down, and is out for the rest of the year.
The Braves won 8-2, but there was little celebrating after the game.
From The Associated Press:
“It’s terrible,” second baseman Dan Uggla said. “That’s a big blow.”
…
“I knew I didn’t get any of the base. I got all of his foot,” a somber Young said. “I pretty much knew it was broke right when I did it. That’s why I ran back to him and tried to console him as much as I could and to apologize.”
Divisional rival and Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper sent Hudson his best wishes after the incident.
