Chicago Cubs rookie Moises Ballesteros was involved in a scary incident on Thursday. In a game against the Cincinnati Reds, the young slugger found himself on first base when Pete Crow-Armstrong sent a rocket off his bat, right toward him.
Cincinnati's first baseman, Spencer Steer, tried to make the diving play, but the ball deflected off his glove. It immediately hit Ballesteros in the head and took his helmet clean off.
Despite getting hit in the head, Ballesteros shook himself off and headed toward second base. The ball was live, so he was doing his best to be safe, but was ultimately thrown out by TJ Friedl. Impressively, he would go on to stay in the game and take another at-bat.
Cubs' rookie 'feels good' after taking 105-mph line drive to the head Thursday
This incident could have been a lot worse than it played out. Moises Ballesteros was seen joking with his teammates in the dugout afterwards, replaying the moment in his head. After the game, he gave an update on how he is feeling, via The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans and Patrick Mooney.
"When the ball hit my helmet, I felt a little bit nervous," said Ballesteros. "But after the trainer checked me, he told me I'm good. I feel really good right now."
Ballesteros was checked by the medical staff, and they did not find anything to warrant a trip to the IL. However, he is not in the lineup on Friday. Instead, Justin Turner will fill the DH role.