Monday saw the Red Sox remained undefeated while Chris Sale made a successful return to the mound in his first outing since last July, but the focus following the victory seemed to be on the status of veteran Justin Turner, and rightfully so.

At the plate with two men on and zero outs in the bottom of the first, Turner was drilled in the face by an up-and-in pitch from the Tigers’ Matt Manning, and immediately dropped to the dirt in a heap.

The signaling from Sox trainers confirmed the initial fears, too, as they motioned for towels and help while Turner leaked blood from his face.

• Justin Turner leaves the game after getting drilled in the face. #redsox
  pic.twitter.com/xBsYA52ifN

  — Tom Caron (@TomCaron) March 6, 2023

• The 38-year-old Turner, who joined the Red Sox as a free agent on a two-year deal this past winter, was able to walk off the field under his own power, but (obviously) exited the game and was transported to the hospital.

  The team also put out a statement on Turner following the game.

• An update regarding Justin Turner: pic.twitter.com/77PcOdScXc

  — Red Sox (@RedSox) March 6, 2023

• The team statement on Turner is certainly as encouraging.

  Especially when talking about taking a heater to the face.

  Turner’s wife also posted an update on her husband following the incident, which again pointed towards a positive development in what looked like an absolutely ugly, worst-case-scenario situation.

• Thank you to everyone that reached out about Justin and sent prayers. We’re home now and he’s resting (okay - maybe listening to the replay of the game). 16 stitches and a lot of swelling but we are thanking God for no fractures & clear scans. ❤️ @redturn2

  — Kourtney Turner (@court_with_a_K) March 6, 2023

• A Dodger for the last nine seasons before joining Boston, Turner is coming off a 2022 campaign that included a .278 average, along with 13 home runs and 81 RBIs, in 128 games. Turner also hit a career-high 36 doubles in 2022, while his 130 hits were his fifth-best in any season since jumping to the bigs on a full-time basis in 2011.

  Turner also won the Roberto Clemente Award, which is awarded annually to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team,” in 2022.

  A healthy Turner is expected to serve as Boston’s designated hitter, and fill in at both third base and first base, for the Sox in 2023.

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