The Milwaukee Brewers kicked off their Spring Training exhibition games on Saturday, and while the scoreboard might not have favored them, fans got their first taste of baseball action after a long winter break. Brandon Lockridge, a key acquisition from last year's trade for Nestor Cortes, made an early statement by launching the team's first home run of the spring.
However, the real story unfolded before the first pitch, away from the cameras. The Brewers players took the field for warm-ups wearing FC United t-shirts, a heartfelt gesture of support for 18-year-old Frank Cairone. Cairone, a promising left-handed prospect and the 68th overall pick in last year’s draft, suffered severe injuries in a car accident in January.
Though Cairone’s injuries were initially deemed extremely serious, there's a silver lining-he's been discharged from the hospital and has started light throwing. While he can't join the team in Arizona for Spring Training, his recovery continues at home in New Jersey.
The Brewers' tribute didn’t go unnoticed:
"Today, we sport T-shirts in support of Frank Cairone - Brewers prospect and the 68th overall pick in last year’s draft. Frank was injured in a car accident in January and is recovering at home. We wish him the best in his recovery journey 💙" tweeted the Brewers.
Matt Arnold, the Brewers' president of baseball operations, emphasized the organization's commitment to Cairone's recovery. "Frank has a long recovery ahead and our focus right now is on Frank the person, his health, his well-being, and supporting his family,” Arnold stated. “When the time comes to discuss baseball decisions, we’ll do that, but we’re not there yet.”
Out of respect for Cairone’s privacy, the Brewers have chosen not to disclose the specifics of his injuries. This gesture underscores the team’s dedication to supporting their young prospect as he navigates this challenging chapter.