The two-seam fastball from Phillies righthander Justin De Fratus dashed inside, forcing Yoenis Cespedes to check his swing and causing an entire franchise to hold its breath.
Cespedes, the outfielder who brought life to the New York Mets, was hit in the hand Wednesday night by De Fratus' 89-m.p.h. fastball in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. He collapsed to the ground almost instantly, grabbing his hand as a team trainer rushed to his aid.
Cespedes was removed from the game, but the incident may have appeared worse than it really was. The Mets announced that X-ray results were negative.