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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was involved in a terrifying moment during the team’s win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
Albernaz was hit by a line drive from Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson in the fifth inning. The ball hit the coach’s left cheek and he was examined by the team’s medical staff.
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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz speaks to the media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Albernaz briefly returned to the game after Jackson hit a grand slam to help the Orioles earn a 9-7 victory.
“He’s fine. As a precaution, he’s going to get scanned,” Orioles manager Donnie Ecker said.
Jackson said he had a sinking feeling when he saw Albernaz suffering after the errant liner.
“I knocked and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face. My heart kind of dropped,” Jackson said. “I was able to see him afterwards and see that he was OK.”
AVALANCHE COACH TAKES PUCK IN THE FACE AND WILL MISS THE LAST GAMES OF THE REGULAR SEASON
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland on April 10, 2026. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)
“Knowing that he was okay helped me. It made me feel a little better,” Jackson added. “I’m just happy he’s okay and in good spirits.”
Albernaz and Jackson embraced after the infielder hit the big home run in the sixth inning.
“It was awesome,” Jackson said of his manager’s impromptu hug. “You never want to hurt anyone, and Alby is great. It sucked. But he wore it well and he’s in a good mood so it made me feel better.”
Albernaz is in his first year as Baltimore’s manager. He served as bench coach and assistant manager for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 and 2025.
Jeremiah Jackson of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore on April 13, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)
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Baltimore improved to 9-7 with the win and is tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.
