SAN DIEGO (AP) -Chris Young has no apprehension about returning to the mound for the first time since he was hit in the face by Albert Pujols’ line drive more than two months ago, breaking his nose and fracturing his skull.
The San Diego Padres’ 6-foot-10 right-hander is scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park.
Young’s comeback included a handful of simulated games and two rehab starts with Class A Lake Elsinore, so he doesn’t anticipate being any more nervous than normal.
“After the injury I wasn’t sure how that would be, if it would take a while to get over that,” Young said Monday. “I’ve faced a lot of live batters since then and I haven’t had any issues. It hasn’t been a thought. In fact, there have been comebackers that were hit hard that I’ve fielded, some have gotten past me. Never once did I worry about it. Hopefully there won’t be any in my face.”
Young threw 8 2-3 innings in two rehab starts, allowing five hits and three runs, all on solo homers. He struck out seven and walked one.
Young was left dazed and bloodied when he was hit by Pujols’ liner on May 21 in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park.
Doctors had to wait for the swelling to go down and for a small skull fracture to heal before they could repair his septum on June 30. That allowed him to breathe through his nose.
“I consider myself fortunate getting out there this soon,” he said.
Young said his nose is still numb and that it can’t get bumped.
“When I hold my daughter I try not to let her get close to my face,” he said. “It’s still pretty sore. I had a sinus infection last week. I’m going to be prone to those for a while. There’s still healing taking place but I think I’m at a point right now where physically there’s very little risk going out and performing out on the mound.”
Young is hoping it’s a once-in-a-career injury.
“It’s such a low-risk injury,” he said. “It’s pretty rare that it happens. I’m going to keep that in mind when I go out there tomorrow night. My nose isn’t completely healed. If it happens again it could be some significant damage there, but I’ve played a long time without it happening, hopefully I’ll go a long time without it happening again.”
Young said he has a different perspective since the injury, “as far as appreciation for the game and everything I’ve missed, how much fun it is to be out there. I’m really excited to be back.”
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