Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz will be in the dugout for Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks despite suffering at least seven fractures in his cheek and a broken jaw due to a foul ball off the bat of one of his own players on Monday night.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning of the Orioles’ eventual 9-7 come-from-behind victory over the D-backs. Jeremiah Jackson hit a check-swing foul ball which struck Albernaz in the right side of the face as he stood by the opening of the dugout railing.
The Orioles’ new skipper put his hand to his face and took a few steps down the tunnel, where he was met by team trainers. He cleared concussion protocol, but was advised to watch the rest of the game from his office.
Several players, including Jackson and Monday’s starting pitcher Dean Kremer, came to check on him, but in the very next inning, Albernaz heard a roar from the crowd and pitcher Chris Bassitt came to the office to tell him that Jackson had hit a grand slam.
The manager reappeared in the dugout and, with a large red welt visible on his face, embraced Jackson before retiring again to his office.
Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer in the seventh to give the Orioles the lead and Jackson hit a solo shot in the eighth to cap a run of eight consecutive Baltimore runs scored.
Bench coach Donnie Ecker sat in for Albernaz for postgame media duties.
Albernaz told reporters before Tuesday’s game that he has to eat baby food for six weeks.
After hearing the crowd reaction to Jackson’s grand slam, Albernaz told reporters, “I heard the crowd and I was like… ‘You know what?, F— this, I’m going out in the dugout.'”
The Orioles were able to retrieve the grand slam ball, which Jackson signed and gave to Albernaz, writing “Sorry, homie.”
Albernaz could have taken Tuesday night off, but will be in the dugout — although perhaps not in his regular spot.
“This is what we’re here for,” he told reporters. “We’re here for the players. We have a game. I’m physically able to be here. So, let’s go.”
