SURPRISE, Ariz. – Giants first base coach Jose Alguacil was airlifted to a Phoenix trauma center after being struck in the face by a foul ball in the Giants’ road exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.
Alguacil was seated in a folding chair between the backstop and the dugout – a place where managers and coaches often watch spring training games – when the Royals’ Hunter Dozier tried to check his swing and grazed a fastball from Giants right-hander Neil Ramirez.
The foul line drive appeared to strike Alguacil near the left eye. He stayed down for several minutes as blood pooled in the dirt and trainers attended to him.