Dodgers Nightmare: Andy Pages Exits After Scary HBP to Hand
Dodgers Star Andy Pages Leaves Game After Getting Hit by Pitch
What Happened?
Friday night in Los Angeles, the Dodgers were playing the Pittsburgh Pirates when something scary happened in the third inning.
Andy Pages — the Dodgers’ center fielder and one of their best hitters this season — got hit on the left hand by a fastball from Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler.
Important Point: Getting hit by a pitch (HBP) means the batter automatically gets to walk to first base — no questions asked. It’s a free pass because the pitcher made a mistake.
Step-by-Step: How It Played Out
- The pitch hits Pages on the left hand.
- He takes first base (that’s the rule!).
- Manager Dave Roberts and a team trainer run out to check on him.
- Pages stays in the game and even advances to third base before the inning ends.
- But he doesn’t come back out for the fifth inning — Kiké Hernández takes his place in center field.
Who Is Andy Pages? (And Why This Matters)
Andy Pages isn’t just any player — he’s having a breakout season:
- Batting average: .272 (that means he gets a hit about 27% of the time — very good!)
- Home runs: 25 (big power!)
- RBIs (Runs Batted In): 80 (he drives in a LOT of runs)
- First-time All-Star this year (voted one of the best players in the league!)
Important Point: Losing him — even for a few games — is a big blow to the Dodgers’ lineup. He’s been one of their most consistent offensive weapons.
What’s Next?
The Dodgers will evaluate his hand (likely X-rays or an MRI) to see if anything is broken or seriously bruised.
- If it’s just a bruise: He might miss a couple of games.
- If it’s a fracture: He could be out for weeks.
The team will give an update soon — stay tuned!
Summary
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Andy Pages, Dodgers CF |
| Injury | Hit on left hand by pitch |
| Pitcher | Bubba Chandler (Pirates) |
| Inning | 3rd inning |
| Replaced by | Kiké Hernández (5th inning) |
| Season stats | .272 AVG, 25 HR, 80 RBI, All-Star |
| Status | Under evaluation |
FAQ
Q: Why does a batter get to go to first base if they get hit?
A: It’s a rule to protect batters. If a pitcher throws at a hitter (or just loses control), the batter gets a free base. It discourages dangerous pitching.
Q: What does "RBI" mean?
A: Runs Batted In — it counts how many times a player’s hit (or walk, or sacrifice) allows a teammate to score. 80 is a LOT.
Q: Who is Kiké Hernández?
A: A veteran utility player for the Dodgers — he can play almost any position and is a fan favorite. He stepped in to play center field.
Q: What’s an All-Star?
A: Mid-season, fans, players, and managers vote for the best players in each league. They play in the All-Star Game. Being picked once is a huge honor.
Q: Will Pages be okay?
A: We don’t know yet! Hand injuries can be tricky. The Dodgers will run tests and let us know soon. Fingers crossed