DeJong’s Journey Back: A Nationals Infielder’s Recovery After a Terrifying Hit-by-Pitch
WASHINGTON – The journey from a hospital bed to the familiar confines of a baseball diamond is rarely a straight line, but for Washington Nationals infielder Paul DeJong, the path back has been fraught with physical and emotional challenges following a terrifying incident that sidelined him earlier this season. His return to the Nationals clubhouse on Friday afternoon marked a symbolic milestone in that arduous recovery, a testament to his resilience and determination to once again compete at the highest level of the sport.
Visible remnants of the ordeal remained on DeJong’s face, with a pronounced bruise lingering beneath his left eye, a stark reminder of the 93-mph fastball that derailed his season nearly a month prior. The pitch, delivered by Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller, struck DeJong squarely in the face, resulting in a broken nose, severe swelling around both eyes that rendered him unable to see, and an overnight stay in a Pittsburgh hospital.
The severity of the injury necessitated surgery to repair his nose and sinuses, but the procedure was delayed by two weeks due to the extent of the facial swelling. As a result, DeJong has been restricted to light exercises, such as riding a stationary bike and performing air squats, as he patiently awaits the opportunity to resume more strenuous physical activity.
While his physical wounds continue to heal, DeJong acknowledges that the mental and emotional aspects of his recovery are equally important. The prospect of stepping back into the batter’s box after such a traumatic experience is undoubtedly daunting, requiring a significant leap of faith and a renewed sense of trust in his own safety.
"It’s far away," DeJong admitted, emphasizing the unique nature of this injury compared to others he has experienced throughout his career. "I think it’s different from any injury I ever had. It’s hard for me to say how I’ll feel. It’s going to take some trust, but I think the physical helmet, with the (protective) C flap, will give me some confidence to at least stand in there fearlessly and take my at bat like I always would."
DeJong now finds himself among a group of ballplayers who have endured the harrowing experience of being struck by a pitch, a fraternity no one willingly seeks to join. This group includes renowned stars like Giancarlo Stanton, who has also battled back from facial injuries, and players like Dickie Thon, whose career was significantly impacted after being hit by a pitch in 1984.
Seeking guidance and support, DeJong intends to connect with veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar, who was his teammate on the Chicago White Sox last season. Pillar suffered nasal and facial fractures after being hit by a 95-mph fastball while playing for the New York Mets in 2021, a beaning he described as "a weird out-of-body experience." Pillar’s experience and insights could prove invaluable as DeJong navigates his own recovery.
DeJong’s experience immediately following the beaning was similar, as he described the hours afterward as "the most uncomfortable feeling, without pain." The injury forced him into a period of rest and recuperation, during which he relied on the support of family members, including his 79-year-old grandfather, with whom he has watched several Clint Eastwood movies, noting a preference for "High Plains Drifter."
As his recovery progresses, DeJong anticipates traveling with the team and gradually increasing his physical activity, eventually working up to swinging a bat. The ultimate goal, of course, is to return to the batter’s box and compete once again. He is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead, acknowledging that it will likely feel unfamiliar initially.
"I’m glad I get to go to rehab games first, I’ll tell you that," he said. "I think it’ll be something new but familiar at the same time. I’m interested to see how I feel, especially once there’s some close calls (on inside pitches), because it’s going to happen. I know it is. It’s just baseball."
Despite the inherent risks involved, DeJong remains determined to overcome his fears and return to his former level of play. He believes that focusing on his physical conditioning and competing on the field will help him to put the incident behind him and avoid dwelling on the potential for future flashbacks.
"But just to go out there and compete again and kind of focusing on playing the game physically, getting my body in shape will help me take my mind off the what-ifs and any flashbacks," he explained. "This is part of being an athlete, and a quote-unquote warrior. I’ve had a lot of injuries playing this game and you always come back and eventually get to a normalcy point."
As DeJong continues his recovery, he remains focused on the process and confident that he will eventually return to the field. He is grateful for the support of his family, teammates, and the Nationals organization, and he is determined to overcome this challenge and continue his baseball career. The road ahead may be long and arduous, but Paul DeJong is prepared to face it with courage, determination, and the unwavering belief that he will once again stand tall in the batter’s box.
