AP May 26, 2023, 10:59 PM ETRead: 2 min.
DENVER — Colorado Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner is slowly recovering from a concussion and skull fracture, though it’s unclear if he’ll be able to play again this year.
Or he did not rule.
Feltner spoke publicly for the first time on Friday when he struck Philadelphia Phillies bat Nick Castellanos in the head through the line on May 13. He stayed in the hospital one night and had persistent symptoms of concussion and pain in his right ear.
“Lots of broken bones, concussion, dizziness, but no pain today,” he said, sitting in the team’s home dugout at Coors Field. “I’m sleeping well, and things are getting easier every day. So the feeling is that I am in a very good position, compared to what could be done.
Feltner was hurt when Castellanos drove a 92.7 mph straight to the mound. He turned the pitcher and the ball struck him on the side of the head, and instantly prostrated him.
Ryan Feltner was injured when Nick Castellanos drove a 92.7 mph line drive toward the mound on May 13.AP Photo/David Zalubowski
“I didn’t really lose or anything. They all came quickly to see how I was doing, so I got my bearings,” he said. “I was happy to walk. I knew immediately what was going on.”
Castellanos looked visibly upset at first and expressed remorse after the game. Feltner said he received a letter and a small gift from Castellano.
“I felt bad for him, because I saw how worried he was, but it’s part of the game”; Feltner recognized.
Feltner began doing balance exercises Thursday and faces a long road to recovery. He can’t sit in the dugout for games, he can read and watch TV for short periods, and he said he feels more comfortable outside where things are far away.
“The recovery program is not like Tommy John surgery,” assistant athletic trainer Scott Murayama said. “Steps must be taken so that the symptoms are resolved. Make sure the fracture heals and slow down the activities.
“His health is pretty good, but with a concussion and an ear injury, he can have problems with his balance. So he has to know where his body is.”
