Nationals’ Daylen Lile released from hospital with back contusion after scary fall in spring training game

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Washington Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile was released from the hospital Sunday and was diagnosed with a lower back contusion after his scary fall during a spring training game in Florida on Saturday afternoon.

Lile, despite being stretchered out of JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida, appears to have avoided a major injury.

“I mean, he’s hurting,” Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Sunday, via ESPN. “But he’s gonna be OK, which is great news.

Lile tried to rob Boston Red Sox infielder Tyler Miller of a home run in the seventh inning of their spring training game Saturday, when he hit the outfield wall and went flying over it headfirst. Relievers in the bullpen that Lile landed in knew immediately that he needed help and started waving people over.

Lile remained down on the ground for several minutes before he was stretchered away. He was placed in a neck brace, though he gave the crowd a thumbs-up on his way out of the ballpark.

Martinez said after the game that Lile landed flat on his lower back in the bullpen, and that he had movement in both his arms and legs when he left the field for the hospital.

It’s unclear how long Lile will be sidelined. Martinez said the team is considering him day-to-day, but he should be able to play again in the near future.

Daylen Lile tumbled headfirst over the outfield wall while trying to make a catch on Saturday afternoon, and had to be stretchered off the field.

Daylen Lile tumbled headfirst over the outfield wall while trying to make a catch Saturday afternoon and had to be stretchered off the field. (Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Lile was selected by the Nationals in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Kentucky. He missed all of the 2022 campaign due to Tommy John surgery, but he bounced back with strong showings while playing with both the National’s Single-A and High-A teams last year. He’s considered the organization’s No. 5 prospect by The Athletic and No. 6 prospect by ESPN.

The Nationals, who went 71-91 last season and missed the playoffs for a fourth straight year, will open their season March 28 against the Cincinnati Reds.

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