Pirates’ Kevin Newman Taken To Hospital After Hit In Head With Pitch

Eds: According to Altoona broadcaster Trey Wilson, Altoona manager Michael Ryan says Kevin Newman has a forehead contusion. No concussion. Day to day. Getting another look tomorrow.

RICHMOND, Va.—Pirates No. 5 prospect Kevin Newman was taken to a hospital for tests after getting hit in the head by a 94-mph fastball from Sam Coonrod in the first inning of Double-A Altoona’s game against Richmond on Wednesday afternoon.

Newman, BA’s No. 55 prospect, remained down in the batter’s box on one knee for more than a minute after getting hit by Coonrod’s 0-2 fastball. He walked off the field under his own power and was immediately pulled from the game.

Newman was still at the hospital after the conclusion of the game, more than three hours after he was hit.

“No update, I have not heard anything yet,” Altoona manager Michael Ryan said postgame.

Last season at high Class A Bradenton, Newman took a pitch off his left cheek that fractured his orbital bone in three places and gave him a concussion. He missed three weeks.

“(He seemed) way better this time than last year’s, so that’s the positive,” Ryan said, “but we’re waiting for an update.”