Mets' Alonso exits after taking pitch to head, shoulder: 'Just a busted lip'
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso had to leave Thursday's Opening Day contest after an errant sinker from Washington Nationals reliever Mason Thompson hit the first baseman in the shoulder and head during a plate appearance in the ninth inning.
Pete Alonso was just hit in the shoulder/helmet face guard with a 95-mph fastball. He went down hard but appears no worse for wear. The fact that the ball hit his shoulder first was a very good thing.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 8, 2022
Regardless, Alonso is coming out of this game in the ninth. pic.twitter.com/NLcPyiE1vb
After a brief delay, pinch-runner Dom Smith replaced Alonso and took over at first base for the bottom of the inning.
During the bottom of the ninth, Alonso was seen in the dugout holding ice to his mouth and smiling.
Pete Alonso, after getting hit by a pitch on his shoulder/helmet and departing down the tunnel with a trainer, is back in the Mets dugout smiling and icing his mouth. pic.twitter.com/vzkx8qAJbp
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) April 8, 2022
Alonso said postgame that he suffered "just a busted lip. Got my teeth, no concussion. It's all good," according to Tim Britton of The Athletic.
Alonso, 27, hit .262/.344/.519 last year with 37 homers and three steals over 152 games.
Before leaving Thursday's game, Alonso had gone 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and was thrown out at the plate after stumbling around third base.