Atlanta Braves center fielder Jordan Schafer suffered a freak injury Friday night when a pitch jumped off his own bat and struck him in the face, knocking him to the ground for several minutes and eventually sending him to the hospital. MLB.com has video -- as you can see, Schafer was attempting to bunt when the ball slammed into the side of his face, a calamity so bizarre Fredi Gonzalez asks the umpire whether Schafer was hit by the pitch.
Here's an animated GIF, via @lookoutlanding:
Schafer underwent X-rays, with a more detailed report on his condition expected some time Saturday morning. He'd been enjoying plenty of playing time while filling in for the injured Nate McLouth, but now Joe Mather looks to be the next option in center field for Atlanta.
Atlanta has been facing horrible injury luck for at least a month now -- hopefully it doesn't get any worse than this, and hopefully Schafer didn't suffer any lasting damage.
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