Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka Will Wear Protective Hat After Being Hit by Line Drive

New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will wear a protective liner inside his cap when he makes his season debut Saturday against the Boston Red Sox.

Tanaka was hit in the head by a line drive during a summer training session July 4.

He told reporters that Yankees trainers suggested the safety measure, and it felt comfortable.

The insert is made of carbon fiber-Kevlar, and Tanaka may not be alone among Yankees pitchers in sporting it this season.

According to NJ.com's Brendan Kuty, multiple teammates have also requested to use the protective gear, prompting the team to order more from the manufacturer, Safe Sport Technologies.

Matt Meier, the founder of Safe Sport Technologies, told Kuty that MLB pitchers who already use the insert include Toronto's Matt Shoemaker, Boston's Collin McHugh, Cincinnati's Matt Bowman and Arizona's Robbie Ray.

The version worn by Tanaka will cover the right side of his head. He told reporters he's used it while facing live hitters in simulated games ahead of Saturday's start. 

After the line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton hit his head during practice, Tanaka was able to walk off the field under his own power and was later diagnosed with a mild concussion. 

The 31-year-old is one of the Yankees' most important pitchers once again. Coming off his second All-Star appearance in 2019, Tanaka has moved to the middle of New York's rotation where he'll work behind the likes of Gerrit Cole. 

The Japanese star tossed 182 innings last year with a 4.45 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 149 strikeouts and 40 walks.