UPDATE: Good news. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that tests on Layne came back normal. However, he’ll sit out the rest of weekend series as a precaution.
8:58 PM: Scary moment in tonight’s game between the Twins and Reds, as home plate umpire Jerry Layne was hit on the left side of his head by a broken bat in the fourth inning.
The incident took place when Devin Mesoraco’s bat cracked on a ground ball. The barrel of the bat connected with Layne, who stumbled for a moment before falling to the ground. He was unable to continue in the game, but walked off the field under his own power. Second base umpire Bob Davidson took over behind the plate.
Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that Layne was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati for examination. He never lost consciousness and the early word is that he didn’t suffer a concussion, but John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer hears that he’ll be checked for fractures of his orbital bone.