James McCann Remains in Game Despite Fastball to the Face

Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann faced a harrowing moment during Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays when he was struck in the face by a fastball thrown by rookie pitcher Yariel Rodriguez. The incident occurred in the first inning with the bases loaded, resulting in a severe nosebleed that left McCann bleeding profusely on the field. Team athletic trainer Brian Ebel quickly attended to him at the plate, but despite the injury, McCann managed to shuffle to first base before being sent to the dugout by manager Brandon Hyde. Rodriguez, who had been struggling with his control, was removed from the game shortly after the incident, as the Blue Jays' manager John Schneider made the decision to substitute him with reliever Brandon Eisert. During the delay, McCann continued to receive treatment in the dugout, and by the time play resumed, he had stopped bleeding and returned to the field wearing a new jersey. McCann's resilience did not go unnoticed, as he was credited with an RBI that contributed to the Orioles' 4-0 lead in the doubleheader opener. His determination earned him a standing ovation from the crowd when he returned to bat with two outs in the third inning. Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells expressed his admiration for McCann on social media, calling him "the toughest SOB I've ever met," highlighting the catcher’s grit and dedication to the game.