Kurt Suzuki under observation after ball to the neck

Los Angeles Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki was taken out of the Toronto Blue Jays game in the third inning for medical evaluation when he was hit in the neck with a warm-up pitch.

Michael Lorenzen was on the mound and put one of his warm-ups in the dirt, which bounced under the face mask of the 38-year-old catcher. Suzuki was guided off the field by the team’s training staff and appeared to stumble as if he were faint as he descended the dugout steps.

Backup catcher Max Stassi came into the game to replace Suzuki and Lorenzen managed to get out of the third inning on five pitches.

Neck injuries are difficult ones and special care must be taken when dealing with these types of contusions. In 2014, Australian cricketer Philip Hughes was killed on the field when hit with a bouncing ball under the edge of the face mask of his helmet. The impact ruptured Hughes’ carotid artery and he bled to death in minutes.

The Angels medical staff reported that Suzuki came through all of their tests fine and may even be available for Sunday’s game, but for the moment is being closely observed by physicians.

They expect that his injury is a simple contusion and express full confidence that he will return soon.