Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels provided an update on outfielder Willie Calhoun to media members including Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (links to Twitter) and Scott Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). The 25-year-old suffered a fractured jaw yesterday when he was struck by an errant pitch.
Calhoun’s jaw repair seems to have gone as well as could’ve been hoped. He did require the insertion of a plate but the jaw did not need to be wired shut. Just what that might mean for his rehabilitation isn’t yet clear, but it would appear to be better than the alternative.
Fortunately, Calhoun appears to have avoided any neck or brain injury. That’s certainly welcome news given the severity of the impact. Calhoun will still need to be fully assessed for a possible concussion after he has fully recovered from sedation.
It’s great to hear that Calhoun already seems to be on the road to recovery. Though it is disappointing for both him and the team that he’ll require an early absence, perhaps there’s hope for a relatively quick return.
In the meantime, it seems that Nick Solak will be called upon to fill in for Calhoun. As Grant writes, Solak could be in line for regular duties in left field — at least until Calhoun is back on the MLB roster.
Thank goodness that thiis encouraging report. Best wishes to Willie in his recovery.
Indeed.
Allow better grip
Learn to control your pitches
More accurately learn to control your lame statements. I pitched at AA level so I’ve been there. Also for some of you grip or aim has little to do with it. Mistakes like that happen when the upper body opens up too early. It’s hard to not happen, but especially this early when muscle memory is taking place. Really wish the ones that don’t know what their talking would just keep quiet. You make yourself and this site look bad.
I agree. I think batters don’t have a problem with pitchers having a better grip.
You guys understand why it’s a banned substance, right?
Do batters use pine tar and gloves for a better grip on the bat? This is a yes or no question
Not on the barrel. And they don’t use it in the field before throwing a ball.
Stop trying to throw every fastball 300 MPH and control will likely get better.
How would you know what it feels like to throw hard? Or to even tell someone HOW to throw baseball? Are you one of those COUCH professionals that know everything?
Busted. I’ve never thrown anything in my life. You got me. Good job.
I’m sorry but Urias doesn’t throw that hard.
95 mph
I don’t mind when pictures come in but if they’re going to come inside it should be below the letters Throwing at the head is a no no
It wasn’t intentional; it was ST for Pete’s sake.
At his best, maybe.
Why are you trolling this site for
You haven’t mentioned one thing or concerned about Calhoun
I was watching a ST a couple days ago- a pitch came close to a batters head. The ex player in the booth talked about batters having a “blind spot” and you also have to consider the position of the sun this time of year- it’s lower in the sky, add all the aspects together and one can see why its not uncommon.
Hitters are also standing closer to the plate now than they ever did before, increasing the chances of being hit in the face.
Take off the arm padding and make hitters back off the plate.
Calhoun Surgery went well looking for his return hopefully soon for a Speedy recovery
good to hear things are going well all things considered
Get well soon Willie.
Not to be a negative Nancy… But do you think he’s going to be able to just jump back into things as soon as he is physically able? I wish him the best of luck and am glad that it sounds as though he got as “lucky” as one could given the circumstances… But I personally couldn’t imagine getting back in the batters box after such a close call and being the same hitter right away. I hope for his sake he can get things back on track in short order… I just worry that like if it were me I might be shell shocked for a bit every time I step into the batters box given that the last time I did I got hit in the face with a pitch. Again wish him the best, definitely a scary moment and here’s to a speedy recovery and hopefully the confidence and what not to get back out there and put hid obvious talent on display as he has a promising career ahead of him!
Ask Mike Stanton
And Jason Heyward
And Rex Chapman
And Tony Fernandez
I’m not sure Tony would respond.
And Delino Deshields
I don’t see any reason why he can’t recover psychologically from this unfortunate incident. These are ultra-competitive pro athletes that didn’t get to biggest stage based on their sheer talent alone. They also go through rigorous mental, emotional, and physical conditioning to play the game. That includes getting used to experiencing higher levels of pain. Obviously no one practices getting hit in the face by baseballs but getting hit occasionally is to be expected.
From the other side, ask Aroldis Chapman, who took a liner off the forehead from Salvatore Perez.
Ask Mitch Haniger! He’s had a ball in the face and in the nuts
Wow. Pleasantly surprised to hear no concussion. He looked like he took a left hook from Mike Tyson the way he went down.
Best of luck to him.
Would love to see more players wear the extended protective helmets.
Urias is supposed to save the violence for his girl
You should be embarassed for making this comment.
Thank you!
People who make comments like this don’t understand the concept of embarrassment.
Boooo
Lol I actually kinda laughed. Didn’t see that comment coming
NODH should have worn that 95mph bullet. Douche
And Delino Deshields
I’m glad to hear he is doing well. I wish him the best during his recovery.
Get well soon!
Get well soon Willie … hope Solak really shows his potential
If it helps him maybe he could get the old Charlie Hayes style helmet that basically looked like a football helmet.
Come on guys. I’m a ranger fan, and was looking forward to seeing Calhoun and gallo in the lineup for a full season given the improvements they showed last season. But, even I dont think it was intentional, and dont have any ill will towards urias. Just one of those freak accidents that happens from time to time in any sport. Dudes practically a kid, in spring training, trying to get amped up and a feel for his stuff 3 weeks before season opener. Nothing more, nothing less, let it go.
I literally haven’t seen one person say that it was intentional.
Willie reminds me a Kirby Puckett. I was looking forward to him getting a regular starting job this year. I hope he gets well soon and in back in the box without any issues.
Prayers for Willie
He’s the 2nd most important hitter for the rangers to be successful this year so hopefully he’ll be back before the end of April.
I am glad his jaw did not have to be wired shut, which I figured would have been the case after seeing the replay. Wish him a speedy recovery. Definitely excited to see Solak!