Justin Turner hit in head by pitch: Red Sox vet gets stitches, 'very fortunate' after spring training accident

Turner immediately left the field while holding a towel to his face after the pitch from Tigers' Matt Manning

Boston Red Sox first baseman Justin Turner was briefly hospitalized and required 16 stitches on Monday after being hit in the face by a pitch from Detroit Tigers starter Matt Manning. Turner's wife Kourtney tweeted the following update on Monday night, noting that he avoided fractures and a concussion:

Thank you to everyone that reached out about Justin and sent prayers. We’re home now and he’s resting (okay - maybe listening to the replay of the game). 16 stitches and a lot of swelling but we are thanking God for no fractures & clear scans. ❤️ @redturn2

— Kourtney Turner (@court_with_a_K) March 6, 2023

Turner himself on Tuesday that he suffered no fractures and did not lose any teeth from the incident: 

Thanks to everyone for all the messages and prayers! I’m feeling very fortunate to come out of yesterday with no breaks & all my chiclets in tact. The @RedSox medical staff and @Lee_Health have been absolutely amazing & I’m going to be back out on the field as soon as possible!

— Justin Turner (@redturn2) March 7, 2023

You can find video of the incident below, but viewer discretion is advised. 

Justin Turner leaves the game after getting drilled in the face. #redsox
pic.twitter.com/xBsYA52ifN

— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) March 6, 2023

As the broadcast noted, there appeared to be blood dripping from Turner's face. Red Sox TV reporter Jahmai Webster said there was "blood leaking from his nose" and Turner's "cheek area had swollen up pretty quickly." 

Once Turner picked himself off the ground, he walked to the clubhouse with Red Sox trainers while holding a towel to his face. The Red Sox announced that Turner was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance. More from the team: 

Justin Turner was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation after being hit in the face by a pitch. He's receiving treatment for soft tissue injuries, and is being monitored for a concussion. He will undergo further testing, and we'll update as we have more information. Justin is stable, alert, and in good spirits given the circumstances.

Turner, 38, hit .296/.375/.490 (133 OPS+) in his nine seasons with the Dodgers as one of the faces of a team routinely making the playoffs and going on deep playoff runs. He made two All-Star teams and finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting twice as well. 

He signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Red Sox this past offseason. With Rafael Devers having signed a long-term extension to remain the Red Sox's third baseman, Turner will move across the diamond to first base while also seeing time at designated hitter this coming season.