1B umpire Wendelstedt walks off with assistance after being hit in head

MINNEAPOLIS -- First base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt was struck in the head by a line drive and left the Twins' 4-3 win over the Mets on Wednesday at Target Field.

According to a statement from a Major League Baseball spokesperson, “Hunter is undergoing additional tests in Minneapolis, and we are encouraged that he was in good spirits when he was in touch with our medical staff. We will continue to monitor his status.”

Both teams were shaken by the play.

“That was scary,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “I asked as soon as the game was over. Every time you see something like that, it's just scary, so I'm glad he's doing well. Praying for him."

With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Tyrone Taylor lined a foul ball down the first base line on a first-pitch fastball from Louis Varland. The ball hit Wendelstedt in the head and he fell to the ground.

He was tended to by the Twins training staff, and after a delay, Wendelstedt got up and walked off the field with a towel to his head.

“It made us all stop and think,” said crew chief Todd Tichenor. “It did, because that hit him solid in the head. It was scary.”

Wendelstedt, 53, has been a Major League umpire since 1998. He is the son of legendary umpire Harry Wendelstedt.

“Just praying for a speedy recovery for him,” said Twins first baseman Ty France, “because you never want to see something like that happen.”