Isbel 'extremely lucky' after scary foul ball to face

ST. PETERSBURG -- Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel suffered facial lacerations and underwent further testing at a St. Petersburg hospital after fouling a ball off his face in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the pitch, a 96.8 mph sinker from Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger in the seventh inning, was fouled back and struck Isbel on the bridge of his nose. It then ricocheted off his forehead and knocked the batting helmet off his head.

Medical staff rushed onto the field and used a towel to clean the blood from Isbel’s face before he was led back to the dugout.

“I think we’re extremely lucky," Quatraro said postgame. “We’re not exactly sure what it hit and what it didn’t hit, but it got him on the bridge of the nose. Just a cut. He’s getting tested to make sure everything is OK.

“[Isbel] said [to us], ‘I can see out of both eyes.’ Then we got him off the field. There wasn’t much conversation."

Isbel’s teammates, some of whom talked to Isbel, described the 27-year-old to be “in good spirits" despite the scary moment.

“We were worried,’’ second baseman Adam Frazier said. “He seems to be doing OK. He’s a huge piece on our team. We need him back in there, hopefully soon. Any time you see something like that, it’s scary."

Isbel has slashed .215/.259/.341 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 45 games this season, but more importantly, he has provided Kansas City with elite defense in center field. If the Royals have to go without Isbel for an extended period of time, the team could rely on Garrett Hampson, Dairon Blaco or current Triple-A outfielder Drew Waters for playing time in center.

“You don’t want to see something like happen to anyone,’’ said designated hitter Nelson Velázquez, who hit a second-inning homer and had an RBI double in the 11th inning. “I know he’s going to get better and he’ll be back with us soon.’’