Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer was forcibly removed in the first inning of Game 3 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the days leading up to the ALCS, Bauer hurt the pinky on his throwing hand while fixing a drone. It produced a nasty and rather graphic wound, which can be seen here.
The stitches on Bauer’s injury busted open during the bottom of the first inning of Game 3. Since the injury was on his throwing hand, Bauer could not have a band-aid or super glue applied and continue pitching.
After Bauer walked Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons approached the umpires, who quickly examined the injury and ruled that Bauer had to be replaced.
The good news for the Indians is that they lead the series 2-0 and were ahead 1-0 when Bauer was removed. The bad news is that, if the series is extended, they may now be dealing with a shorter, limited pitching rotation, especially since all but two outs of Game 3 will be recorded by the bullpen.
If Bauer has to be replaced on the roster during the ALCS, he would also be ineligible for the World Series, should Cleveland advance.