Jays put Happ on DL after leaving hospital
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ was released from a Tampa-area hospital on Wednesday morning after he was hit in the head with a line drive during Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Happ left Bayfront Medical Center on crutches and with a bandage around his head, according to reports. On Wednesday afternoon, the Blue Jays placed the pitcher on the 15-day disabled list.
Happ was in good spirits, and his injuries were described as a head contusion and laceration to his left ear. He also came away with a sore right knee, an injury that occurred during his fall. Happ escaped a more serious injury in a scary incident that saw him bleeding profusely and carried off the field on a stretcher.
Happ, 30, was transported to the hospital on Tuesday night after taking a shot off the bat of the Rays' Desmond Jennings in the second inning. The sound of the impact of the ball striking Happ's head could be heard as far away as the press box. The ball bounced down the right-field line into foul territory as Happ fell face down on the mound.
"I'm in good spirits," Happ said back at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. "I definitely appreciate the support of the baseball community. It's been overwhelming, the messages and kind words I've been getting. I just want to thank everyone for that. And I look forward to getting back out there soon."
After the play that injured Happ, Jennings stood on third base with hands on his head; his hit had resulted in a two-run triple. Other players were visibly concerned as Happ received medical attention for eight minutes on the field. The game resumed after an 11-minute delay.
The Blue Jays rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Rays.
Happ joined the Blue Jays last July after a trade with Houston. He suffered a season-ending broken right foot in September.
To replace Happ on the roster Wednesday, the Blue Jays purchased the contract of right-hander Edgar Gonzalez from Triple-A Buffalo. Gonzalez, 30, made two relief appearances for Toronto earlier this season, allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings. He was 1-0 with a 5.49 ERA in four starts for Buffalo.
