Justin Turner Injuries

Justin Turner has been a staple in the Boston Red Sox lineup and clubhouse for years, but on Monday he got to experience something completely new: physical pain. After taking a pitch to the face, Turner was taken to the hospital where he is being treated for soft-tissue injuries.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who managed Turner for seven years in Los Angeles, reached out to him after the incident. According to The Boston Globe, the former third baseman appears to be in good spirits following the ordeal.

1. He was hit in the face by a pitch

Justin Turner, a former Dodger who signed with the Red Sox last season, was hit in the face by a pitch during Spring Training on Monday and taken to the hospital for treatment of soft-tissue injuries.

He was playing infield for the Red Sox against the Detroit Tigers when an unfortunate incident occurred. He was facing right-handed pitcher Matt Manning with two runners on and no outs, as well as a 2-1 count when the pitch hit him in the face, according to reports.

The ball struck Turner in the face, dripping blood down his face. Medical personnel rushed to help him up to bat and medical personnel helped him stand. Team officials escorted Turner back into the dugout where he was given a towel for comfort.

In a brief statement, the Red Sox said Turner is "safe, alert and in good spirits" following his injury. He is being monitored for possible concussion symptoms and will undergo further evaluations over the coming days.

On Monday morning at JetBlue Park in Boston's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, there was a moment of panic as both home plate umpire and catcher signaled for assistance. Luckily, everyone remained calm.

On video footage taken after being escorted off the field, Turner could be seen bleeding from his face. He was accompanied by members of the Red Sox training staff and a trainer who held a towel over his head as they held him down.

In a statement released by the Red Sox, they noted that Turner is being treated at a Fort Myers, Fla. hospital for soft-tissue injuries and being monitored for possible concussion symptoms. While no timetable has been set yet for his return to action, it appears likely he'll be out for several weeks.

2. He was taken to the hospital

On Monday morning during spring training, Justin Turner, recently signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox, was struck in the face by a pitch. He was taken to a hospital and is being monitored for potential concussion symptoms, according to the team.

On Monday's game against the Detroit Tigers, Turner was hit in the face by a pitch from right-handed pitcher Matt Manning and fell to the ground, bleeding heavily from his face. A member of the Red Sox training staff held a towel over Turner's face as he walked off the field.

After being hit, Kourtney tweeted an upbeat update: He is home and resting after receiving 16 stitches. While there is plenty of swelling, X-rays haven't revealed any fractures.

The veteran third baseman is coming off a remarkable year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, during which he earned himself an All-Star selection and helped L.A. win its first World Series in nearly three decades.

Turner has earned accolades for his off-the-field efforts as well. He and Kourtney founded the Justin Turner Foundation to assist homeless veterans and children facing life-altering illnesses, in addition to working with The Dream Center and other community organizations.

Turner is eager to begin working with the Red Sox, despite all of the unknowns that come with being a free agent. At his introductory press conference this month, he expressed his joy at joining another storied franchise and joked that he couldn't wait for potential fly outs to turn into doubles off Fenway Park's Green Monster.

3. He’s being monitored for a concussion

On Monday during spring training, Red Sox second baseman Justin Turner was hospitalized after taking a pitch to the face. According to Boston Globe reporter Pete Abraham, he is being evaluated for possible concussion symptoms.

At bat in the bottom of the first inning of Boston's Grapefruit League game against Detroit Tigers, Turner took a fastball off his face and fell down as blood began pouring from his nose. He was helped off the field by a trainer, though still carrying a towel over his face as he kept walking off while bleeding heavily.

Hopefully this is just an injury and Turner will make a full recovery before being ready to play for the Red Sox again. In January, Boston signed Turner in free agency to a one-year contract with a 2024 player option.

He had spent the previous nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning a World Series in 2020 and serving as team leader. Fans loved him dearly and he is seen as an inspiring mentor to young players on this Red Sox roster.

Alex Cora, the manager of the Red Sox, has already recognized him as a clubhouse leader. Not only did Cora and the Red Sox want to infuse some veteran leadership into their infield but they also wanted to revamp it.

In addition to bringing back Turner, the Red Sox signed Kike Hernandez and Kenley Jansen in free agency. This decision was made with an aim of creating some chemistry on the infield while helping its younger players reach their full potential.

4. He’s being treated for soft-tissue injuries

On Monday afternoon at JetBlue Park, Red Sox second baseman Justin Turner was struck in the face by a pitch and immediately fell to the ground. Immediately, blood spurted from his nose as he was taken away in an ambulance to a hospital.

The Red Sox are reportedly treating Turner for soft-tissue injuries and monitoring him for a concussion. According to the team's statement, Justin "is stable, alert, and in good spirits" given the circumstances.

Despite the injury scare, it appears that Turner is on the mend and will soon be returning home with his family. Kourtney shared an encouraging update on Twitter that her husband needed 16 stitches and had some swelling but no facial fractures or scans.

Although it is encouraging that the veteran infielder is back home, there is still no certainty as to when he will be ready to return to action. He still has 22 spring training games left before Opening Day and needs additional tests before an exact timeline can be determined.

Turner has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Dodgers' community initiatives in addition to his on-field duties. He regularly volunteers at soup kitchens and youth clinics, as well as being a spokesperson for Vision to Learn - an organization which offers free eye exams and glasses to schoolchildren in underserved areas.

Unfortunately, it appears that he will miss some time due to an injury; however, if he can persevere and remain as a great leader for Boston's young players, then he will be an invaluable asset on the team next season.

5. He’s back home

On Monday morning, Boston Red Sox infielder Justin Turner took a pitch from Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Matt Manning and fell to the ground, gushing blood. Medical personnel quickly arrived on his side and sent him off for evaluation at a hospital; eventually he was released after being evaluated.

After the game, the Red Sox issued a statement saying Turner is safe and in good spirits following his accident. He will undergo tests and scans to assess his condition, but should be back playing soon.

Turner earned the respect of the Dodgers throughout his nine seasons with them, becoming a two-time All-Star and an integral part of their World Series victory in 2020.

But he does have one regret about his time in Los Angeles: that he never got to wear the number 2 that he always wanted to wear. After asking Tommy Lasorda for that number in LA, they refused to honor it.

Even the Boston Globe mocked him when he showed up at spring training wearing a number that belonged to Xander Bogaerts and Jerry Remy. It may seem like an innocuous request, but his request still got him targeted for some time.

When he eventually signed with the Red Sox in free agency, he said he wasn't interested in wearing their number but that they respected his wishes. Fortunately, that turned out to be a mistake.