Umpire Larry Vanover Released from Hospital 2 Days After Being Hit in Head by Throw

Veteran MLB umpire Larry Vanover was released from a Cleveland hospital on Friday, two days after he was hit in the head by a baseball while working a game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.

Vanover, 67, has been umpiring in the majors for 29 years. He was hit on the left side of the head by a relay throw from Guardians' All-Star second baseman Andres Giménez toward home plate at a relatively close distance.

He was in the hospital for two nights and will remain away from the game until he is cleared by MLB's medical personnel. He was scheduled to work a game Thursday in Cincinnati.

Giménez's throw was tracked at 89 MPH, causing Vanover to lose his hat and sunglasses and fall to the ground in a daze near second base. He was able to get up and walk off the field on his own after being checked on by a Guardians' trainer.

"That was scary," home plate umpire Chris Guccione said. "Very hard to focus after that, after you see a colleague get hit."

Beginning his career in 1991, Vanover has gone to umpire in some of the league's biggest games over the years. His resume includes two All-Star games, the 2016 World Series and most recently the 2023 World Baseball Classic.