In Cincinnati, Reds fans collectively held their breath on Thursday as the Opening Day clash against the Boston Red Sox took an unexpected turn. During the top of the fifth inning, first baseman Sal Stewart faced a scary moment when a blistering 110.2 mph line drive off Roman Anthony’s bat ricocheted off his left wrist.
The impact sent Stewart to his knees, leaving the crowd at Great American Ball Park in a tense silence. As the ball trickled away, Anthony reached base safely, and the Reds' rookie sensation was clearly in pain, prompting fears of a serious injury.
Despite the alarming scene, a quick assessment by head athletic trainer Sean Mcqueeney showed no structural damage, allowing Stewart to make the gutsy decision to stay in the game.
"I’m feeling good," Stewart shared post-game. "There's some swelling, but that's part of the game.
I believe in the protection I had today. I'm grateful."
Stewart’s resilience is a relief for the Reds, who are counting on him for a successful 2026 season. Losing him on Day One would have been a significant setback.
Fortunately, Stewart is expected to be back in the lineup for the second game of the series against the Red Sox. However, with depth at first base, manager Terry Francona might opt to give Stewart a brief rest, utilizing options like Spencer Steer, Nathaniel Lowe, or Eugenio Suárez at first, while Stewart could serve as the designated hitter.
Before the injury scare, Stewart was already making waves on the field. He capped off the day with an impressive 3-for-4 performance, including two doubles and a single, proving to be Cincinnati's standout offensive player. Reds fans will certainly be eager to see more of this promising start as the season progresses.