Houston's Christian Walker feels OK after being hit in head by fastball; expects to play Sunday

TL;DR

Houston's Christian Walker feels fine after being hit in the head by a fastball but expects to play on Sunday. He reported no cuts or serious injuries following the incident during Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

Key points

Christian Walker was hit in the head by a fastball.
He expects to play on Sunday after feeling okay.
No cuts or serious injuries were reported.

Houston AstrosChristian WalkerTyler SamaniegoBoston Red Sox

BOSTON (AP) — Houston first baseman Christian Walker expects to be in the lineup Sunday even though he left Saturday's game in the ninth inning after getting hit in the head by a fastball from Boston left-hander Tyler Samaniego. “That’s always not a great situation, but I’m feeling OK,” Walker said following the Astros’ 6-3 victory over the Red Sox. “I think the helmet took most of it. Turning away from it hopefully made it more of a glancing blow than a straight impact.” He was hit by a 93.3 mph fastball and a piece of his helmet appeared to go flying off, which he thought was the C-flap that protects the jaw. “It hit the helmet first and then the ball hit me in the head,” Walker said. A trainer came rushing out and Walker held a towel to the left side of his forehead as he walked to the dugout. Manager Joe Espada said Walker didn’t get cut. When Walker was talking to the media, he had his hat down low over his forehead. “Scary,” said Espada. “When he kind of moved his head, the helmet kind of came loose and the ball kind of got some of the forehead area, but no blood.” Walker expects to play Sunday. “Yeah, I’m planning on it," he said. "I just went through all the concussion stuff, so I don’t see an issue with that. “As long as I don’t wake up with some crazy neck stiffness or something like that, I plan on being in there.” Walker hit a solo homer, had three hits and drove in a pair of runs as Houston bounced back from a loss in the series opener Friday. \\\_ AP MLB:

Q&A

What happened to Christian Walker during the game?

Christian Walker was hit in the head by a 93.3 mph fastball from Tyler Samaniego in the ninth inning but reported feeling okay afterward.

Will Christian Walker play on Sunday after being hit?

Yes, Christian Walker expects to be in the lineup on Sunday after passing concussion protocols.

How did Christian Walker's helmet affect the injury?

Walker stated that his helmet absorbed most of the impact, which likely reduced the severity of the hit to his head.

Houston's Christian Walker feels OK after being hit in head by fastball; expects to play Sunday

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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