Derek Dietrich injured by foul ball while in Marlins dugout

Baseball is unpredictable. After the little round ball is struck by the bat, it’s incredibly hard to predict where it will go and what it will hit. And when most people hear about someone being hit by a baseball during a game, it’s usually a spectator in the stands. But in Sunday’s Miami Marlins-Atlanta Braves game, we learned that even the dugout isn’t always safe.

Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich was batting in the ninth inning, facing Braves reliever Ian Krol. Yelich fouled off Krol’s 1-2 offering, and the ball flew into the Marlins’ dugout. According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the ball ricocheted against a wall in the dugout and struck second baseman Derek Dietrich in the back of the head. 

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Dietrich had been sitting in the dugout when it happened, and the blow laid him out flat. He stayed on the ground for three minutes or so before he got up and walked into the clubhouse on his own. Frisaro reported that Dietrich didn’t lose consciousness, but will stay in Atlanta overnight despite a negative X-ray. When it comes to a head injury, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

It was a sudden and frightening end to what had been a stellar game for Dietrich. He went 3-for-3 at the plate versus the Braves, helping the Marlins avoid a sweep with a double and a home run. He brought in four of the Marlins’ seven total runs, a personal best.

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Liz Roscher is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher