Detroit Tigers rookie Spencer Torkelson leaves game vs. Royals after hit-by-pitch

Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson exited Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the seventh inning. He was hit by a pitch in the helmet.

The severity of Torkelson's injury is unclear, though the 22-year-old rookie appeared fine and willing to stay in the game before walking off the field and into the dugout.

Manager A.J. Hinch and athletic trainer Doug Teter checked on Torkelson near home plate. He was plunked by an 88 mph pitch from Royals starter Brad Keller, who had tossed six-plus scoreless innings.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) fields a ground ball from Kansas City Royals third baseman Nicky Lopez (8) during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, July 1, 2022.
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) fields a ground ball from Kansas City Royals third baseman Nicky Lopez (8) during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, July 1, 2022.

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Jeimer Candelario replaced Torkelson as a pinch-runner.

Torkelson is batting .194 with 26 walks and 63 strikeouts in 68 games this season. The Tigers drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2020.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spencer Torkelson exits Detroit Tigers' game vs. Royals after HBP