Tampa Bay Rays minor-league pitcher Tyler Zombro is in stable condition at a Durham hospital after being hit by a line drive in Thursday night’s Durham Bulls game.
Zombro was pitching in the eighth inning against the Norfolk Tides when he was hit in the face with a line drive off the bat of Brett Cumberland. According to eye-witnesses, Zombro collapsed face-first on the mound and began to convulse.
St. Pete Nine will not post the video due to its upsetting nature.
The Rays released the following statement:
The Rays have issued the following statement on the condition of @DurhamBulls right-handed pitcher Tyler Zombro, who was hit by a batted ball during tonight’s game: pic.twitter.com/DpUXcaZItT
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 4, 2021
Players from around baseball have sent their well-wishes to the 26-year-old right-hander and his family.
Please keep @T_Zombro24 in your prayers. https://t.co/Pdi09zHWN8
— ji-Man Choi 26 (@cjm0519) June 4, 2021
Oh no. Every positive thought in the world to Tyler and his loved ones. https://t.co/9d3KxKUYjf
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) June 4, 2021
Worst thing I’ve ever seen in baseball. Prayers for Tyler Zombro and Family. https://t.co/5SWBIVFnb2
— Nathan Karns (@NathanKarns) June 4, 2021
Tyler Zombro took a line drive to the head tonight in AAA Durham pray for him and his family! Hang tough Tyler!
— Austin Hays (@TheAustinHaysss) June 4, 2021
Our thoughts are with Tyler Zombro and the entire @DurhamBulls team following tonight’s unfortunate event in the game against Norfolk.
— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) June 4, 2021
The game between the Bulls and Tides was suspended and will be resumed at a later date.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
