Tyler Zombro, Tampa Bay RaysA minor league pitcher, who was hit in the forehead by a comebacker to baseball last June, made his season debut at Triple-A Durham on Sunday. He threw a scoreless innings against Norfolk.
As Zombro returned to the mound for the first regular-season game since being struck by a 104 mph pitch on his right side, players and coaches from both dugouts stood up to give him a standing ovation.
Sunday’s right-hander was able to allow a leadoff double in inning two before getting three consecutive runs. He threw 14 pitches and eight for strikes.
The moment @T_Zombro24Z was named the new pitcher for Norfolk. Both teams rushed out of their dugouts in support of Z.
First class @NorfolkTides.
We are grateful.#KEEPGOING pic.twitter.com/fMx2ihPPBi
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) April 24, 2022
“I believe it all came sort of full circle there, and definitely was a symbol for me ‘completing my journey’ to perform in Triple-A,” Zombro told MLB.comSunday
After being knocked unconscious by a liner against Norfolk in June, Zombro was taken to Duke University Hospital where 32 screws and 16 plates were placed into his skull. After being unconscious for about a week, he was discharged.
Zombro, 27, was a collegiate pitcher at George Mason University before signing as an undrafted agent with the Rays in 2017. His career ERA is 2.78 in the minors.