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Associated Press 6y

Pursuing foul ball, Blue Jays' Randal Grichuk slams face-first into security guard's chair

MLB, Toronto Blue Jays

TORONTO -- Blue Jays right fielder Randal Grichuk was checked for a possible concussion after slamming face-first into a security guard's chair while chasing a foul ball Sunday during Toronto's 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Grichuk had a swollen mark across his face as he left the game. He was injured while chasing Brandon Guyer's fly in the fourth inning.

As Grichuk sprinted toward the ball, a security staffer seated along the wall stood up and backed away from the area, carrying his stool and seemingly unaware the outfielder was closing in. Grichuk slid to make the catch, but crashed into the stool the staffer was holding by his side.

Grichuk stayed down for several minutes and was treated on the field by Blue Jays trainers. When he stood up to walk off, television images showed a long, swollen mark on his face, running across his nose and between his eyes.

"I peeked at him and I saw him sliding, trying to make a play there, so I peeled out," said first baseman Justin Smoak, who also pursued the foul ball. "All of a sudden I heard him get clocked with a chair in the face. Scary right there for a second, but hopefully he's all right."

The Blue Jays said Grichuk was in routine concussion evaluation and would receive follow-up tests on his face.

Smoak said it's difficult to be aware of obstacles, particularly because Toronto's domed roof makes it hard to look away from fly balls.

"We're worried about each other and the ball at the same time," Smoak said. "There's no chance either of us was thinking about the security guard."

Manager John Gibbons said he saw Grichuk in the clubhouse following the game.

"He was laughing a bit, so that was a good sign," Gibbons said. "He's a pretty boy, you don't want to hurt that face."

Teoscar Hernandez entered the game for Grichuk to play left field with Billy McKinney moving from left to right. The security staffer remained in place.

Hernandez hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning.

Grichuk homered twice Saturday against the Indians.

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