Chris Bassitt To Undergo Surgery For Facial Fractures After Being Struck By Line Drive

10:30am: The Athletics announced that Bassitt “received stitches for two facial lacerations and was diagnosed with a displaced tripod fracture in his right cheek that will require surgery.” Vision tests and a CT scan revealed no additional damage, and Bassitt also avoided any damage to his orbital bone. He’s been released from the hospital for the time being.

Aug. 18, 8:20am: Bassitt sustained fractures to his cheekbone and upper jawbone, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, but all other tests have come back clean and his vision is unaffected. He’ll require surgery in the next three to five days once the swelling has subsided.

Aug. 17, 10:10pm: Manager Bob Melvin spoke to reporters on Zoom after the game and provided the following update (Twitter link via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle):

“Bass is conscious. He was the entire time. We don’t think the eye is a problem at this point. It felt like it was below it. He’s got some cuts. They had to do some stitches. He’s in a scan and we’ll know more about potential fractures tomorrow or later tonight.”

8:12pm: In a frightening scene at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday evening, Athletics right-hander Chris Bassitt was carted off the field after being struck on the side of the head by a comeback line drive off the bat of White Sox outfielder Brian Goodwin. Bassitt spent several minutes down on the mound with the training staff, who held multiple towels to the side of his face. He was eventually helped onto the cart and driven off the field, still clutching a towel to the side of his head.

The Athletics, thankfully, have issued the following statement:

“Chris Bassitt is conscious and aware, and is on his way to the hospital. We will provide additional information when possible.”

The overwhelming concern right now is not on the outcome of the game itself or potential impact on playoff races, but rather on Bassitt’s overall health and well-being. The line-drive left Goodwin’s bat at just over 100 mph, per Statcast, and Bassitt did not appear to deflect the ball prior to contact. Players on the field were visibly shaken — Bassitt’s teammates and his opponents alike.

Bassitt, 32, is in the midst of the finest season of his career, having emerged as the top starter on the Oakland staff. He’s carrying a 3.04 ERA through 151 innings this season and entered play ranked third in total innings among all MLB pitchers.