Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar isn’t letting all the bruises hide his smile.
Pillar shared a photo from his hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up ahead of his scheduled surgery in Manhattan. The 32-year-old underwent a procedure to repair his nose after he took a fastball to the face in a 3-1 win over the Braves this week.
“Be back soon!,” Pillar captioned the photo.
On Monday, Pillar absorbed a 94.5 mph Jacob Webb fastball that left him split open at the nose and dripping blood at the plate. He met with a plastic surgeon Tuesday to map out his recovery. A CT scan showed multiple nasal fractures in his face.
Despite “feeling good” after being hit and ahead of surgery, Pillar said it was difficult to see, as well as breathe out of his nose — presumably due to heavy swelling and bruising around his eyes.
The day after the injury, Pillar entered the Mets’ clubhouse and asked if he was in the lineup. The veteran was instead placed on the 10-day injured list just before the second game of the series between the National League East rivals — something he was admittedly upset over.
Kevin Pillar is hit in the face by a fastball from Braves pitcher Jacob Webb. AP Photo“That’s the thing that hurts the most. My face will heal, but my heart’s broken right now because this team is hurting right now,” Pillar said on Tuesday while in Atlanta. “I was gifted an opportunity to play every day, and I can’t do that and it hurts.”
The ailing Mets have 16 players on their injured list as of Friday afternoon, with first baseman Pete Alonso and pitcher Tommy Hunter joining Pillar on the recovery trail.
