Brewers Pitcher Hospitalized After Taking Line Drive To The Neck

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis suffered a scary neck injury Monday afternoon during batting practice at PNC Park. 

The Brewers anticipated a Monday matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to reports, Junis — currently on 15-day IL — ran onto the field and was struck in the neck area by a line drive.

An ambulance was called onto the warning track near right field at PNC Park, and the pitcher was loaded onto a medical backboard, according to Pirates writer Kevin Gorman. 

Junis received medical assistance on the field for 15 minutes before the ambulance took him to a nearby hospital for further attention.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jakob Junis pitches during a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Minnesota Twins on April 2 at American Family Field. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

MILWAUKEE - Jakob Junis #35 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins of the home opener at American Family Field on April 02, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Regardless of the circumstances, taking a baseball to the neck sounds like it'd hurt like hell.

The Brewers released a statement on Junis' health status, noting that the 31-year-old is "conscious, alert, and responsive."

Milwaukee's statement read, "Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis was hit in the neck by a batted ball during batting practice. He is conscious, alert and responsive. He was sent to the hospital for further evaluation."

Junis joined the Brewers this offseason after a solid campaign with the San Francisco Giants last season. He finished his 2023 season with a 4.42 ERA (5-7) in 112 innings and 23 games (17 starts).

DENVER - Pitcher Jakob Junis of the San Francisco Giants throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of Game Two of a doubleheader at Coors Field on September 16, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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