Struck Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs, Mitch Garver treated for injuries

PEORIA, Ariz. — The major league side of the Mariners spring training complex was basically empty and quiet for most of Tuesday with almost all of the players and staff enjoying their second of three off days on their Cactus League schedule.

But there were instances of activity.

Designated hitter Mitch Garver and radio announcer Rick Rizzs both came by the complex to get checked out by the team’s medical staff, including team physician and medical director Dr. Hank Pelto.  

Both men were struck by baseballs in different ways in Monday’s game against the Brewers in Maryvale.

After hitting his third homer of the spring in the first inning, Garver was struck on the right hand/wrist by a 92-mph fastball in his second plate appearance. He was removed from the game and underwent X-rays.

General manager Justin Hollander confirmed that the X-rays on Garver came back negative, showing no fractures. The Mariners don’t think he will need a CT scan, but will monitor the injury. Garver was getting treatment on the hand after the exam, which isn’t the best way to spend an off day.

After an offseason where he worked on getting stronger and making some changes to his swing, Garver was having a solid spring. In 21 plate appearances, he has posted a .444/.476/.944 slash line with three homers, six RBI, a walk and four strikeouts.

Rizzs met with team doctors to see if there were any aftereffects from getting struck in the back of the head by a foul ball off the bat of Rhys Hoskins.

The scary incident came with Rizzs calling the game on the radio. The rocket of a foul ball cleared the net of the backstop and made it through a smaller window of the visitor’s radio booth at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Rizzs was dazed initially, but was cleared by Pelto and other medical staff and allowed to not only remain at the game, but also go back on the air and continue the broadcast an inning later.

The sizable lump on the back of Rizzs’ head had shrunk considerably overnight and he was cleared to continue his duties.

Bryce Miller was also at the complex Tuesday afternoon for a completely different reason. He had to pitch in a minor-league game on the back fields so he could stay on his normal turn in the rotation and have his requisite days off in between.

Facing a minor-league team from the Rangers, Miller worked three innings without incident or injury. His outing ended when he made a behind-the-back snag of comebacker, spun with some style and flipped the ball to first base.