Atlanta Braves minor league coach Luis Salazar will lose his left eye after three surgeries.
The former major leaguer Salazar was struck by a foul ball off of the bat of catcher Brian McCann while he was standing in the dugout in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Salazar was hit in the eye, and then fell backwards onto the hard surface of the dugout.
Initially, those close to the incident feared the worst, as Salazar lay motionless for some time.
An ambulance was brought onto the field, and Salazar was immediately taken to an area hospital following the incident. After several surgeries, it was determined that Salazar did not suffer any brain damage. However, despite their best efforts, doctors were unable to save his eye.
McCann immediately pulled himself from the game, staying with Salazar and his family after the incident. McCann has checked in with Salazar and his family throughout the week.
Salazar is in his first year with the Atlanta Braves organization and is slated to manage the Class A Lynchburg Hillcats, a new location for a Braves farm team.
Even after this horrific accident, Salazar still plans on coaching the team in Lynchburg. Braves general manager Frank Wren has stated that he could be back to work in four to six weeks.
Salazar was lucky that the injury was not fatal, sources say. He is reportedly in high spirits, looking at the big picture and grateful he can come back to the game.
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