Rockies P Feltner recovering from fractured skull, hopes to pitch again this year
DENVER — Colorado Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner is slowly recovering from a concussion and fractured cranium. He doesn’t know if he can pitch once more this 12 months, however he hasn’t dominated it out.
Feltner spoke publicly for the primary time Friday since getting hit within the head by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia’s Nick Castellanos on May 13. Feltner spent an evening within the hospital and has lingering concussion signs, in addition to proper ear ache.
“A lot of fractures symptoms, just a headache from the concussion, dizziness, but today there’s no pain,” he mentioned whereas sitting within the house dugout at Coors Field. “I’m sleeping well, and day-to day stuff has become a lot easier. So the feel is that I’m in a really good spot compared to where it could be.”
Feltner was injured when Castellanos lined an 92.7 mph slider up the center. Feltner turned away, the ball hit him within the again proper portion of his head and he instantly collapsed on the mound.
“I didn’t really lose consciousness or anything. Everybody got out there pretty quick to check on me, so just kind of getting my bearings,” he mentioned. “I was just glad I was able to walk off. I knew right away what was going on.”
Castellanos was visibly shaken as he crouched at first base and expressed regret after the sport. Feltner mentioned he obtained a letter and a small reward from Castellanos.
“I felt bad for him because I saw how upset he was, but it’s part of the game,” Feltner mentioned.
Feltner began balancing workouts Thursday and faces an extended highway to restoration. He can’t sit within the dugout for video games, he can learn and watch TV in brief spurts and he mentioned he’s most comfy exterior, the place he can deal with issues at a distance.
“There isn’t a set program like a Tommy John program,” Rockies assistant athletic coach Scott Murayama mentioned. “It’s take steps to be sure that these signs resolve be certain the fracture heals, after which slowly beginning again into actions.
“His balance has actually has been very good, but with the concussion and ear injury he can have balance issues. So it’s retraining the body to be aware of where its at.”
The 26-year-old Feltner is in his third season with Colorado and second 12 months as a part of the rotation. He is 2-3 with a 5.86 ERA in eight begins, and hopes he can return this 12 months.
“I don’t want to rule it out. The desire on my end is there. I’m putting my trust in the team, the professionals that know more than I do about the issues. We’re in this process together, but I will pitch again at some point, I don’t know if will be this year this year.”
