TAMPA -- Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers found himself lying face down on the mound before he even threw his first pitch against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday.
In a frightening moment that brought gasps from many in attendance, Weathers was hit in the head by a throw from catcher Nick Fortes after the left-hander threw his final warmup pitch before the bottom of the first inning.
Weathers stayed on the ground momentarily and was attended to by trainers before throwing a few more warmup pitches. He stayed in the game and tossed a clean first inning on eight pitches, but was removed after three innings (57 pitches) for "precautionary reasons." Weathers will also receive further evaluation.