Blue Jays outfielder exits after fan-thrown ball hits wrist

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sánchez left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles after a ball thrown from the stands struck his right wrist. The incident occurred in the sixth inning of Baltimore's 9-5 victory. Sánchez had glanced toward fans in the right-field bleachers during a stoppage in play when a youngster tossed the ball, which hit his wrist.

response Sánchez sustained a bruise but X-rays came back negative. He wore a bandage after the game and said the injury would not keep him out of the lineup. "It hurts a little bit, but thank God it's nothing bad or a fracture," he said. "I'll be all right." An Orioles spokesperson said the club identified the fan and removed them from the ballpark while conducting a thorough investigation.

He said Sánchez had been speaking playfully with what appeared to be a 12-year-old and the child took the gesture literally. Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said the team does not condone fans throwing balls onto the field and is reviewing the matter.

Sánchez said he was surprised but plans to move past the event. "Big surprise, of course," he said. "I never imagined that was going to happen, but it happened.