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Buster Posey was hit in the helmet by a Taijuan Walker fastball in the first inning of Monday’s game against the Diamondbacks, and he left the game for precautionary reasons. He walked off under his own power, but is likely undergoing concussion tests.
Video from KNBR.com:
Buster Posey hit in head with pitch, leaves field under his own power with trainer pic.twitter.com/CVgr6l7y8y
— KNBR (@KNBR) April 10, 2017
While Posey did walk off on his own, and bent down to take off his shin guards in the dugout, the Giants were understandably cautious with him. Last year, Joe Panik was hit in the head with a Matt Moore fastball, and he stayed in the game. Not only that, but Panik also played in the next eight games before concussion symptoms set in and he was placed on the 7-day concussion DL.
Every situation is different, of course, but I’m pretty sure the days of a Giants player taking a shot to the helmet and toughing it out for the rest of the game are over. Keep your fingers crossed that this is precautionary and nothing more.