Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer optimistic despite getting hit on wrist by liner
Kansas City Royals’ right-hander Brady Singer hadn’t pitched in more than 10 days. Then he got hit by a batted ball in just his second appearance of the season.
Singer retired the only two batters he faced in Friday night’s 4-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. He entered the game in the seventh inning and took over after Gabe Speier. It marked Singer’s first appearance since April 10.
With two rainouts and two scheduled off days early on in the season, the Royals bullpen has not been as taxed as it might have been in a typical scenario. Due to the shortened spring training, MLB also has given teams expanded rosters through May 2.
On Thursday, the first batter Singer faced was Mariners No. 2 hitter Tyler France, who lined a ball right back up the middle that hit Singer on the wrist of his glove hand. The ball deflected towards second baseman Nicky Lopez, who alertly scooped it up and threw to first base to get the force out.
Singer struck out the next and final batter he faced, Jesse Winker.
Royals manager Mike Matheny said they were getting Singer’s wrist X-rayed after the game because it had swollen quickly. Matheny also praised Singer for throwing “really well.”
Singer, who moved to the bullpen this season for the first time in his professional career, was also pleased with the way he threw.
“Everything felt good, “Singer said. “Fastball felt like it had a lot of life to it. Slider felt really good. Obviously, I took one off the wrist there, but it’s feeling a lot better. So that’s positive.”
Other than some swelling and being able to see the indentation from the lace marks, Singer said it looked “fine.”
