A scary scene took place during the Giants’ spring training game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, AZ on Saturday, when new first-base coach Jose Alguacil was struck in the face with a foul line drive, causing him to be carted off the field, and then airlifted to a trauma center in Phoenix.
Alguacil suffered a broken nose, a deep laceration, and small orbital (eye socket) fractures according to Andrew Baggarly of the Bay Area News Group.
Giants say Jose Aguacil is in surgery to repair a broken nose and a deep laceration. Also has small orbital (eye socket) fractures.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 5, 2017
Baggarly reported that Alguacil, 44, was seated along the backstop and dugout when he was struck by a check-swing foul ball off the bat of the Royals’ Hunter Dozier. On a positive note, Alguacil did not lose consciousness according to Bruce Bochy, and was able to stand afterward. The impact was great enough to result in a pool of blood being left where he was struck.
This is Alguacil’s first season as a San Francisco Giants’ base coach after managing the Sacramento River Cats last season.
Awful scene here. Giants base coach Jose Alguacil just got hit by a foul line drive.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 4, 2017
Alguacil was seated along wall between the backstop and dugout. Foul tip on a check swing. He is sitting up with a towel held to his face.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 4, 2017
Alguacil was able to stan, get intomedical cart. Joe Amalfitano gave his arm a tug of encouragement. Obviously will update when we have info
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 4, 2017
Bochy said Alguacil did not lose consciousness. Not sure exactly where in face he was hit. There’s a pool of blood where he went down.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 4, 2017
Alguacil is being transported to the trauma center at a hospital in downtown Phoenix.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 4, 2017
Alguacil was airlifted from Surprise to Phoenix. It's not uncommon here because cross-town traffic is heavy even on weekends.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 4, 2017