Some traditions in sports are sacred. Most are serious in nature, but there is one hilarious subcategory – self-inflicted injuries. Baseball players wear a lot of protective gear because of 5 oz balls flying around at incredible speeds. Accidental injuries do still happen, of course, and they’re no laughing matter. But sometimes it’s genuinely funny to see a player redefine the term ‘add insult to injury’, like Jake Bauers of the New York Yankees.

Jake Bauers has been filling in for his MLB counterparts this year. Ironically, most have been out due to major injuries. Mainly serving as an outfielder, the 27-year-old moved to a new position during yesterday’s game. It didn’t end well.

New York Yankees Make Bold First Base Decision

Bauers was playing at first base after a long while, replacing the slumping Anthony Rizzo. After a disappointing run of more than a few months, the Yankees finally took Rizzo out of the lineup. Bauers, on the other hand, has been a consistently good hitter this season, recording a .234 batting average.

If there is one thing that would make fans question this decision, it’s Bauers’ troubles with left-handed pitchers. In a total of 17 at-bats this season, the slugger has posted a .176 average with a .222 OBP. Contrarily, Rizzo shines against lefties and has recorded a .333 average with a .402 OBP over 78 at-bats. But his recent slump that shows no signs of ending finally made the Yankees give him a rest day.

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Perhaps that’s why the move raised eyebrows because it game during the crucial rubber match against the Tampa Bay Rays. Although they avoided being swept, Bauers was struck out, and his reaction served him poorly.

Jake Bauers Accidentally Cuts His Lip From Helmet Throw

YES Network caught a moment on camera that shows Bauers in the field with a cut above his lip. The video goes on to show a flashback from the moment Bauers gets struck out and throws his bat in frustration. But the reaction doesn’t end there. The slugger also takes off his helmet and throws it to the ground in anger. As one might expect, the helmet bounces right back up. At his face.

Bauers walks it off expertly though, barely letting the pain show on his face. While some fans praised that moment, some couldn’t help but rain bad wishes on the front office.

Some commented how the moment was a perfect summation of the Yankees’ 2023 season.

Some also compared the moment to Brett Gardner’s infamous helmet throw that also resulted in a hurt lip.

Most laughed off the moment because it was thankfully a minor injury with a cut lip. Neither Bauers nor the Yankees commented on it, however, so hopefully the player is alright.

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