Orioles’ James McCann somehow stays in game after taking scary fastball to face

For any player, the true nightmare scenario for them is to take a ball to the head or face. Whether it is pitchers on the mound dealing with comebackers, errant foul balls into the dugout, or hitters in the batter's box, players have seen their entire careers altered or even derailed by balls that find the worst spots to hit.

Just last year, the Angels' Taylor Ward needed surgery on his face that he is still dealing with the effects of today. Unfortunately, the Baltimore Orioles' James McCann was the victim of such an incident on Monday.

In the bottom of the first inning against Toronto, it had become very apparent after four walks in the inning that Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodriguez was very, very off. Unfortunately, he was not pulled from the game before McCann took a 95 mph fastball off his nose. It did score a run, but it also left McCann a bloody mess.

Orioles News: James McCann stays in game after taking fastball to his face

In a bit of irony, McCann normally wouldn't be starting the first half of a doubleheader like he was on Monday. However, new trade acquisition Zach Eflin was making his Baltimore debut and McCann was more familiar with him than Adley Rutschman. Unfortunately, that meant he had to face Rodriguez, who had no idea where his pitches were going from the start.

Things could have gotten ugly for the Orioles as McCann is not only a respected and important part of the roster, but the team couldn't afford to have Rutschman play both games of the doubleheader behind the plate. However, in what defies explanation, McCann was able to stay in the game after being down on the ground bleeding for a while.

We'll know more after the game exactly what is going on with McCann and if his nose is broken. However, regardless of the actual outcome, McCann's toughness isn't going to be questioned anytime soon.

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