Umpire Released From Hospital Two Days After Scary Hit to Head

MLB umpire Larry Vanover was released from the hospital on Friday, two days after the 67-year-old took a frightening blow to his head from a baseball during a meeting between the Yankees and Guardians, according to the Associated Press.

Vanover had spent the last two days under the care of medical personnel at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was evaluated for a concussion and other potential medical issues. The veteran umpire, who was scheduled to work Thursday, will remain off the field until he’s cleared by MLB personnel, per the AP. 

The scary sequence that led to Vanover’s injury occurred on Wednesday during Cleveland’s matchup against New York at Progressive Field. In the top of the fifth inning, Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez attempted a 89 mph throw to home plate from less than 50 feet away but accidentally hit Vanover, who was positioned between second and the mound, in the head. After quickly standing to his feet, Vanover slowly walked off the field under his own power and did not return. 

MLB later released a statement announcing Vanover had been admitted to the Cleveland Clinic for testing while also noting that the timeline on his return was still to be determined. 

A member of MLB’s umpiring ranks since 1993, Vanover has served as a crew chief since being promoted to the position in 2015.