Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Hunter Bigge was struck in the face by a 105 mph foul ball while seated in the dugout during Thursday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The incident occurred in the top of the seventh inning when Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman fouled off a 3–2 pitch into the first-base dugout.
Here is the slowed down zoomed in shot of the hit to the head taken by a player in the Rays dugout. pic.twitter.com/hWiQr6Vg8q
— DAVE ROBERTS BETTER NOT SCREW THIS UP! (@WhyDaveRoberts) June 20, 2025
Horrible scene in Tampa, as Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was hit in the face by a 105 mph foul ball while in the dugout.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 20, 2025
He was stretchered off the field and gave a thumbs up as he exited.
Kevin Brown on the Orioles TV call for MASN. #MLB pic.twitter.com/FtkaA52oaC
Medical personnel responded quickly and Bigge remained conscious throughout, communicating with the training staff and responders.
Rays manager Kevin Cash stated after the game that Bigge was coherent and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
As Bigge was wheeled off the field, he gave a thumbs-up to the crowd, which drew applause from fans and players alike. The game paused for approximately eight minutes while the medical team ensured his safe removal.
jesus man that was ugly. view from the stands from fans in front of me. hope he’s okay. took a pretty nasty fall afterwards too. stretchers out. #rays pic.twitter.com/Tg7dXoKNZl
— tristan (@elyankeelover) June 20, 2025
Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed Bigge was coherent and speaking with medical staff. Additional updates on his condition will be provided once the team releases more information following medical assessments.