Vanderbilt's Dansby Swanson hit in face by pitch, but 'fine'
No. 1 overall pick tweets that he's 'day by day'
Former Vanderbilt baseball player and No. 1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson was injured by a pitch to the face last week, but he tweeted that he's "just fine."
Swanson, a two-time All-American shortstop with the Commodores, did not suffer any facial fractures, according to the original report from Baseball America. He was hit by a pitch from Cuban right-hander Yoan Lopez during a simulated game Thursday at the Arizona Diamondbacks extended spring practice facility.
On Thursday, Swanson tweeted: "Thank you for all the prayers, tweets, and concerns!! I'm doing just fine and taking it day by day."
Despite not suffering a serious injury, Swanson should remain in Arizona longer than planned. After he inked a contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus on July 17, Swanson said he expected to join Advanced-A Visalia (Calif.) Rawhide and stay there for the remainder of the season, but his assignment reportedly changed to the Hillsboro (Ore.) Hops. Swanson's next stop is on hold for now.
Swanson was a finalist for the Golden Spikes national player of the year award. He helped lead Vanderbilt to a 2014 national championship and 2015 College World Series runner-up.
Swanson is the second former Vanderbilt player recently injured. Former teammate Zander Wiel, a first baseman, a 12th-round pick of the Twins, fractured his left hand when struck by a pitch playing for rookie league club Elizabethon last week.
Wiel's hand will be in a splint for one more week and then rehab for two more weeks before returning to the field.
Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.