Tyler Zombro is the Tampa Bay RaysA minor league pitcher, who was struck in his head by a backer to the plate in June, made it’s season debut for Triple A Durham on Sunday. He threw an inning 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 and gave him a standing ovation.
After allowing a leadoff single in the second inning, the right-hander got three consecutive outs. He threw 14 pitches and eight for strikes.
The moment @T_Zombro24Z. was announced as Norfolk’s new pitcher. Both teams came out of the dugouts to cheer Z.
First class @NorfolkTides.
Thank you.#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, Zombro 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.