Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar will undergo surgery to repair multiple nasal fractures after he was hit in the face by a 94.5 miles per hour fastball in the seventh inning of Monday's 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves.
Pillar met with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine the next steps, the team said Tuesday morning. Pillar said he'll have surgery when the swelling in his face goes down and, after that, he'll have to wait about 10 to 14 days to resume baseball activities.
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He was bloodied by Jacob Webb's fastball Monday night but managed to walk off the field and was taken to the hospital for tests.
"I feel good. I feel lucky," Pillar said Tuesday.
Mets manager Luis Rojas called Pillar a "warrior" after Monday's game.
"He shows up every day to play hard and you guys saw him: He got up on his feet and left," Rojas said. "There's no chance I thought he was going to be able to do that. That's at least one positive to see even though the scary moment."
Pillar tweeted late Monday that he was "doing fine" and thanked those who reached out.
Braves manager Brian Snitker took Webb out of the game after Pillar's injury.
“That’s about as sickening a thing as you can see on a baseball field, when a kid gets hit like that," Snitker said. "Like I say, I just keep that kid in my prayers and hopefully everything works out OK. (Pillar) is nothing but a pro, how he carries himself, the way he plays the game. He’s a gamer."
In his first year with the Mets and ninth year in the major leagues, Pillar is batting .250 with two home runs and eight RBIs.
(Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)
Pillar speaks to media Tuesday:
Kevin Pillar: "My face will heal, but my heart is broken right now because this team is hurting" pic.twitter.com/MxRc7py8Fo
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2021
Pillar: “Scary moment but I’m doing fine!”
Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine! #RBI #gamewinner 👍🏽👍🏽
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 18, 2021