Leading off the ninth inning on Tuesday night, the Diamondbacks’ Jon Jay saw a slider headed toward him. He turned his back, braced himself, then trotted to first base after the pitch struck him on the calf.
This has become a common sight. Throughout his career, Jay always has been a hit-by-pitch magnet. But he’s taken it to a new level with his new team. Since joining the Diamondbacks in early June, Jay has been hit by 14 pitches, the most in the majors during that span.
Jay does not know why this keeps happening. He said he does not go to the plate looking to be hit, nor does he stand in the batter’s box with his upper body hanging dramatically over the plate.