Blue Jays’ Randal Grichuk narrowly avoids serious facial injury

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk exited yesterdays ball game in the 4th inning after colliding with the Rogers Centre Security Guard while giving chase to a ball in foul territory.

Both Randal Grichuk and first baseman Justin Smoak were engaging on a fly ball in foul territory, the unsuspecting Security Guard grabbed his stool and began to back-up to avoid the oncoming Smoak.

Unfortunately for Grichuk, the Rogers Centre employee was unaware he was approaching from his side, and as the outfielder slid for the ball he collided face-first into Guards metal stool. Grichuk lay motionless on the field until he was tended to by the Blue Jays training staff.

Grichuk was able to walk off the field on his own accord, however, there was obvious evidence of facial contusions on the bridge of his nose and eye socket area.

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The Blue Jays tweeted out that Grichuk had passed the initial concussion tests but would be re-evaluated in the morning. Shockingly, the outfielder also did not suffer any facial fractures as a result of the incident. Grichuk is day-to-day with facial abrasions and contusions.

In true John Gibbons fashion, the skipper quipped that Grichuk was smiling and grinning in the clubhouse, however he is a pretty boy, so you don’t want anything to happen to that face.

Grichuk has been one of the Jays most productive hitters since returning from his stint on the disabled list earlier in the season. The 27-year old is hitting .248/.304/.490 with 21 round-trippers in his first season north of the border.

With the Jays only playing for pride at this juncture in the season, they will undoubtedly take their time with Grichuk, which will also allow the kids to continue to audition for the 2019 campaign in his absence.

A scary incident that could have been much worse, thankfully Grichuk will be none the worse for wear sooner than later.