Aroldis Chapman, the Reds' left-handed closer struck in the face by a batted ball Wednesday night, had surgery Thursday at a Phoenix hospital to have a small titanium plate inserted over his left eye, where the bone was fractured.
Rob Butcher, the Reds' director of media relations, said in a press release that Chapman is "expected to remain in the hospital a day or so."
The two-and-a-half hour surgery was performed by cranial facial plastic surgeon Dr. Ed Joganic at Banner Good Samarian Hospital in Phoenix.
In the press release, Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek said Chapman, a key component of the Reds' relief pitching corps, could begin working out and throwing in 10 to 14 days and could pitch in game conditions in four to six weeks.
The injury occurred in the sixth inning of a Wednesday night game with the Kansas City Royals in Suprise, Arizona. Chapman, after throwing a 99 mile per hour fast ball, was struck by a line drive off the bat of the Royals' Salvador Perez.
Chapman suffered bone fractures above the left eye and nose. He also had a mild concussion, according to Kremchek.
The game was ended after Chapman was carried off the field on a stretcher with his head immobilized. Chapman never lost consciousness.
