The Yankees’ 10-3 win over the Rockies took a scary turn Sunday, when home-plate umpire Nick Mahrley was hit in the neck area by the top end of Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat, placed onto a stretcher and then removed from the field by cart in the fifth inning.
Mahrley was down on the field for over five minutes, and when he was helped onto the stretcher, he was wearing what appeared to be a neck brace.
“That was bad,” said Stanton, whose bat shattered just above the handle when he lofted a knuckle curve from Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber into left field for a run-scoring single. “Saw it by the replay — he took it like a champ, though. When I was in the box, I didn’t hear anything on the way [to first base], a groan or anything.”
Stanton said he believed Mahrley would be OK.
The Yankees announced Mahrley was being evaluated by the team’s medical staff and undergoing a series of tests.
The other umpires in the crew, medical personnel, Stanton, Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. were among the people either gathered around Mahrley or standing on the outside of the dirt area surrounding home plate.
The entire Rockies defense cleared the field.
Umpire Nick Mahrley is struck by Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat on Aug. 25, 2024.
Rockies catcher Drew Romo (r.) checks on umpire Nick Mahrley after he was struck by Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat on Aug. 25, 2024.
“You never want to see that,” Judge, who was on first base at the time, said. “You see the replay with what happened, that’s never good. We’re definitely all hoping for the best.
“[Umpires have] a tough job back there, man. That’s not easy.”
Umpire Nick Mahrley #48 is checked on by a trainer after a broken bat hits him in the head off a swing by Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees during the 5th inning when the New York Yankees played the Colorado Rockies Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Umpire Nick Mahrley is carted off after being struck by Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat on Aug. 25, 2024.
Marvin Hudson, the crew chief, shifted from first base to the plate to take Mahrley’s spot.
After a 31-pitch first inning, in which he allowed a run that was aided by a pair of Chisholm errors at third base, Marcus Stroman bounced back.
The righty “battled,” he said, and survived for five innings in which he allowed three runs on five hits and three walks.
His defense did not convert enough batted balls into outs behind him, but Stroman pitched well enough to receive the win.
Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch during the first inning when the New York Yankees played the Colorado Rockies Sunday, August 25, 2024.
“To be able to navigate and get us five important innings and give us the lead to hand off to the bullpen,” manager Aaron Boone said, “it was a big outing when you’re kind of grinding out there.”
Tommy Kahnle, Jake Cousins, Luke Weaver and Tim Mayza combined to throw four scoreless innings in which they allowed one hit.
Kahnle has not let up an earned run in each of his past 17 appearances.
DJ LeMahieu returned to the lineup two days after being scratched with a facial contusion that was sustained when he was drilled with a ball during pregame warmups.
LeMahieu, who batted ninth and played first base against lefty Austin Gomber, went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees scores on an RBI single by Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees during the second inning when the New York Yankees played the Colorado Rockies Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.
The Yankees are set to face three southpaws in their three-game series in Washington that begins Monday, which will make for interesting lineup decisions. Typically, righty hitters LeMahieu and Jose Trevino have started while lefties Ben Rice and Austin Wells have sat.
Clarke Schmidt will make at least one more rehab start, likely Wednesday, after allowing one run in 3 ²/₃ innings with Double-A Somerset on Friday.
Schmidt, who threw 46 pitches, likely will be in the 60-pitch neighborhood for his next outing.
“He’s in a good spot,” Boone said of Schmidt, who is recovering from a right lat strain.
In his second rehab game, Jon Berti played third base for the first time and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts with Double-A Somerset. Berti has been sidelined since May 24 with a left calf strain.
Anthony Rizzo again served as designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts with Somerset. Rizzo, out with a right forearm fracture, is expected to begin rehab games at first base next weekend.
Cody Poteet made his second rehab start with Somerset and allowed one run on four hits in 3 ²/₃ innings.
The righty last pitched in the majors June 12 before suffering a right triceps strain.
Lou Trivino (Tommy John and back surgeries) pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts with Somerset.
