Catcher bonks hitter on throw back to pitcher

Usually, batters are more concerned about the balls coming from the mound than the ones going back. Maybe that's why Red Sox rookie Jarren Duran was in disbelief after a routine throw from Indians catcher Austin Hedges clipped him on the helmet on its way back to the pitcher.

Duran was minding his own business, digging in for the next pitch after taking an 87 mph slider from Cal Quantrill for a strike, when he felt a clank on his helmet. He froze as the baseball skittered away up the third-base line, then turned to Hedges, who seemed equally surprised but offered a pat on the leg in apology.

Duran struck out on the next pitch and there was no harm done, though Cleveland was lucky nobody was on base, because the ball is in play on throws back to the mound, and chaos can unfold when those tosses go awry.