Kerwin Danley Injured on Foul Ball to Face, Exits Game

A foul ball knocked Plate Umpire Kerwin Danley out of Tuesday's Nationals-Diamondbacks game in Arizona. With one out and none on in the bottom of the second inning, Diamondbacks batter Nick Ahmed fouled a 94 mph fastball from Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg directly into the center of Danley's hockey-style facemask.

Danley was evaluated by the Arizona training staff and did not return. He was replaced by 2B Umpire Gabe Morales, who completed the game in a three-person alignment with umpires Rob Drake and crew chief Joe West.

Danley has a history of baseball-related injuries, including at least four significant hits to the head:
In 2013, Danley left a Rockies-Reds game after being hit in the mask by a bouncing ball;
Earlier in 2013, Danley had suffered a concussion;
In 2009, Danley was struck by a broken bat, left the game on a stretcher, and suffered a concussion;
In 2008, Danley took a 96-mph pitch directly in the mask and was knocked unconscious.