Nats’ Paul DeJong relieved his vision wasn’t affected by pitch to face that broke multiple bones

WASHINGTON AP Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong disclosed Friday he was relieved that his vision wasn t affected when he suffered a broken nose orbital and orbital floor from a pitch that hit him in the face last month DeJong had surgery to repair the fractures and has been cleared for non-baseball exercises The nine-year veteran is hoping to be back in Washington s lineup before the All-Star break The -year-old was hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh s Mitch Keller on April That was amazing for me to not have too much of a vision issue DeJong noted before Washington began a three-game series against St Louis Having the surgery go well also I mean I trusted the surgeon and I knew my nose was going to be fixable It was more just making sure my vision was OK because of how crucial that is for this sport So I m thankful that things could have been a lot worse DeJong who signed with the Nationals as a free agent in February can do exercises like biking and air squats but has not yet been cleared to lift weights He spoke about what it might feel like to face live pitching again after his ordeal I think it s different than any injury that I have ever had so it s hard for me to say how it s going to feel DeJong stated It s going to take particular trust but I think the physical moment with the C-flap on the batting helmet will give me specific confidence staying in there fearlessly and take my at-bat like I unfailingly would AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source