BALTIMORE — Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz displayed remarkable dedication Tuesday, showing up to work just one day after suffering multiple facial fractures and a broken jaw from a foul ball that struck him in the dugout.
The first-year skipper sported a large bruise covering the right side of his face as he explained the extent of his injuries to reporters.
“I can’t blow my nose for six weeks, because one of the fractures is kind of like where my orbital bone is,” he said. “If I blow my nose it’s going to go up into my eye.”
Albernaz revealed he sustained more than six fractures in his cheek region along with the broken jaw. However, he expressed gratitude that doctors determined surgery wasn’t necessary and his jaw wouldn’t need to be wired shut. The manager even joked about potentially wearing a Ravens helmet while coaching from the dugout.
The frightening incident occurred during Monday evening’s contest when Jeremiah Jackson’s foul ball found Albernaz in the section of the dugout nearest to the on-deck circle during the fifth inning. Though he managed to return to the dugout one inning later as Jackson connected for a grand slam, medical staff eventually transported him to the hospital where he remained until approximately midnight.
“I was trying to get back out there after my concussion protocol was fine, but they wanted me to get a CT scan,” Albernaz explained. “I was trying to get it after the game, but obviously the medical team has better judgment than I do.”
While Albernaz resumed his dugout duties Tuesday, the recovery timeline extends well beyond this week.
“Six weeks of soft foods,” Albernaz noted. “Can’t do anything strenuous.”
When asked whether this restriction included heated discussions with umpires, the manager offered a candid response.
“Medically speaking, yeah I probably shouldn’t,” he said. “I think everything gets thrown out the window when that first pitch happens.”
In related team news, the Orioles announced Tuesday that infielder Jackson Holliday was pulled from his rehabilitation assignment Monday due to minor right wrist discomfort. Team officials indicated this type of soreness commonly occurs following hamate surgery, and Holliday will be sidelined for several days as a precaution.
Albernaz has consistently avoided setting specific return dates for injured players, preferring not to create additional pressure on their recovery process.
“I said I don’t believe in timelines, and this is a perfect example of that. It all depends on the player,” he said. “It’s great to see Jackson being communicative and open at every turn.”
