Baltimore Orioles utility player Blaze Alexander is dealing with a fractured left hand after being struck by a pitch during Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, according to Orioles manager Craig Albernaz.
The incident took place in the seventh inning when Alexander was hit by a 95-mph fastball thrown by Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg. The pitch — the seventh of the at-bat — prompted both teams’ benches to clear. Erceg said after the game that hitting Alexander was not intentional.
Medical imaging confirmed a non-displaced fracture in Alexander’s hand. The 27-year-old is scheduled to meet with a doctor during the All-Star break this week, Albernaz said.
“You know it hurts, but he has a good attitude about it,” Albernaz said. “Blaze will be around and see where he’s at rehab-wise and go from there.”
No timeline has been established for Alexander’s return. Albernaz described the loss of the player as “definitely a gut punch.” Alexander was not available to speak with reporters following the game.
Before the injury, Alexander had a strong afternoon at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk while playing third base. The performance pushed his batting average to a team-best .312, with a .368 on-base percentage and a .439 slugging percentage. He has tallied four home runs and 29 RBIs across 82 games this season.
Originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Alexander was acquired by Baltimore in February in exchange for rookie right-hander Kade Strowd and two minor league players.
Alexander has proven to be one of the team’s most versatile players this season, starting at third base 34 times, second base 11 times, shortstop seven times, center field six times, left field four times, and right field twice.
