Umpire struck by Mike Trout's broken bat escapes serious injury

Umpire Nate Tomlinson escaped serious injury after being hit in the face by the jagged end of Mike Trout's broken bat.

Tomlinson was the home plate umpire during Tuesday night's Freeway Series clash between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers — until the top of the ninth inning, that is. Trout, the Angels centerfielder, came to the plate with clear bases and one out, and worked his way into a 3-2 count. He connected for a fly ball to left center, which ended up falling through center fielder Gavin Lux's glove for a single.

It was hard to see in the moment, but on slow-mo viewers can see that Trout's bat broke when he hit the ball, splintering at the grip and leaving a pointy stub of wood in Trout's hands. The much larger part of the bat was also very pointy, and it flipped through the air behind him, poking through the bars of Tomlinson's mask and cutting his face.

Tomlinson dropped down to his knees after the bat hit him, and all action on the field stopped while he was given medical attention. Blood was dripping down his face, and he was removed from the game and replaced by second base umpire Laz Diaz, who handled the final four batters of the Dodgers' 2-0 win.

Trout looked distraught at first base while Tomlinson was attended to. Tomlinson walked off the field under his own power before he was taken to the emergency room.

Thankfully, Tomlinson's crew told USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Wednesday morning that he'd sustained only cuts above his eye and nose, and had avoided serious injuries.