NEW YORK (AP) – Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon was hit on his pitching hand by a line drive Tuesday night and left his start against Kansas City in the first inning with a bruised thumb.
The 43-year-old Colon was knocked out of the game after four pitches when Royals leadoff batter Whit Merrifield hit a shot that barely glanced off the pitcher’s glove and struck him hard on his right thumb. X-rays were negative, New York said.
The ball deflected to second baseman Neil Walker, who threw to first for an out. In the meantime, Colon yanked down his hand in obvious pain and bent over at the waist as manager Terry Collins and trainer Ray Ramirez came rushing out of the dugout.
After a brief meeting near the mound, Colon walked off the field and into the dugout. Hansel Robles replaced Colon and was given all the time he needed to warm up.
Colon was bumped up a day in the rotation to start Tuesday night on regular rest in a World Series rematch with Kansas City. Noah Syndergaard was pushed back one day and will get the ball Wednesday afternoon in the finale of the two-game series.