The latest update on Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Tyler Zombro is promising, with the right-handed pitcher making another step forward in his recovery.
Zombro took the mound for the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate, on Thursday against the Norfolk Tides. He was hit in the head on a line drive by Brett Cumberland, sending Zombro crashing to the ground. The 26-year-old appeared to be convulsing on the mound before medical assistance arrived.
As teammates could only watch, Zombro was put on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance. After being transported to Duke University Hospital in Durham, the Rays shared Thursday night that he was in stable condition.
Related: Tampa Bay Rays prospect Tyler Zombro hit by liner, in stable condition
The Bulls postponed their game on Friday as their teammate remained in the hospital. Tampa Bay released an update that morning, indicating promising signs in Zombro’s recovery.
Before Saturday’s game, per MLB.com, Rays manager Kevin Cash offered another promising update on the young righty. Cash spoke to Durham’s athletic trainers, who shared that Zombro got out of his bed and is able to walk around his room with some assistance.
- Tyler Zombro stats: 3.18 ERA, 7.15 K/9, 17.3 percent strikeout rate, 1.9 percent walk rate in 11.1 innings for Triple-A Durham
Zombro’s teammates are returning to the diamond on Saturday, resuming their series against the Tides. The Rays have said they will continue providing updates on Zombro as he continues to make progress in his recovery.
Durham owns the second-best record (18-9) in Triple-A’s Southeast Division. Its roster includes Wander Franco (No. 1 prospect in MLB) and Vidal Brujan (No. 39 prospect).