ATLANTA – Cincinnati Reds rookie left fielder Tyler Callihan suffered a fracture in his left forearm while attempting a diving catch against the Atlanta Braves. The play resulted in an inside-the-park home run on Monday night, in his team’s 4-0 loss.
In the bottom of the third inning, with two outs, Callihan was chasing a fly ball hit by Matt Olson. Initially, he managed to catch the ball, but he crashed hard against the padded wall in foul territory along the left field line. After the impact, the ball fell out of his glove, and Callihan rolled onto his back, clutching his left arm in obvious pain.
The Reds players paused momentarily, undecided as to whether Callihan had made the catch or if the ball was foul. Austin Riley scored from first base, and Olson rounded the bases at half speed, awaiting the verdict.
They put a splint on him in the locker room. We sent him to Cincinnati this morning to schedule surgery. He’s a great kid. You feel terrible for him.
Terry Francona, Reds manager
The Reds’ athletic trainers attended to Callihan, who walked back to the dugout and the locker room, holding his left arm.
The play was reviewed, and the replay confirmed that the ball was touched in fair territory and that Callihan did not have sufficient control to be considered a catch. Olson’s home run gave the Braves a 4-0 lead.
Callihan was playing his fourth game in the Major Leagues, after debuting last week.
