New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka hit by Giancarlo Stanton line drive

Horror scenes unfolded during the New York Yankees’ first day back with a star pitcher sent to hospital after a ball smashed into his head.

Just minutes after the Yankees opened spring training 2.0 Saturday in The Bronx, Masahiro Tanaka suffered a frightening injury when he took a line drive to the right side of his head off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton.

Tanaka immediately fell on the mound and action stopped as trainers rushed to check on him. He stayed down for approximately five minutes before sitting up. He was helped to his feet and walked off the field with the assistance of two trainers.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

The Yankees later announced that Tanaka was “alert, responsive and walking under his own power.” He is being sent to NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital for further evaluation and testing.

The 31-year-old right-hander had faced several batters as Saturday was the Yankees’ first official workout after players began to report Wednesday following the three-month lay-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the labour dispute between MLB and the players association.

Masahiro Tanaka just got hit by a line drive by Giancarlo Stanto pic.twitter.com/bZGNJiaNGK

— adry torres (@AdryTorresNYC) July 4, 2020

Tanaka was assessed before walking off under his own weight.

The YES Network broadcast reported there was no net in front of the mound, as there typically is during batting practice, due to it being a simulated game. A net, however, was brought out after the Tanaka incident.

Tanaka is entering the final year of a seven-year, $155 million contract.

Giancarlo Stanton immediately crouched in anguish when Masahiro Tanaka was struck by a comebacker on the right side of his head. He has been on the other side of a similar situation.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 4, 2020

Passing along some good vibes to Masahiro Tanaka. Seeing video of that liner off Giancarlo Stanton’s bat is insanely unsettling.

— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) July 4, 2020

Hoping Tanaka is okay. While I’m not a Yankees fan, you never want to see this happen to anyone. Was definitely surprised to see the Yankees not using a screen during this session. https://t.co/6YHDcqykwW

— Chris Strub #SendLindseyHome (@ChrisStrub) July 4, 2020

Aaron Hicks on Masahiro Tanaka getting hit: "It sucks to see something like that, especially during something as simple as a sim game. That’s one of those things where, as soon as you step on the field, anything can happen."

— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) July 4, 2020

This is hands down one of the worst things to see in sports; hope Tanaka’s okay.

Also, hopefully - in the not too far off future- pitchers will have to wear some type of head protection. https://t.co/y5qS30Vkax

— Phil Sanchez (@Phil_Sanchez) July 4, 2020

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.