PORT CHARLOTTE (SNN-TV) – With Minor League Camp opening today for the Rays in Port Charlotte, one young hurler, returns to the mound with a miraculous story.
On June 3rd of last year, while on the mound for the Durham Bulls, Tyler Zombro was struck by a 104-mph line drive, leaving him with 16 plates and 32 screws in his head following surgery.
Despite all that, Zombro is back to work for the Rays, and in camp, but with more advanced protection this go-round. Zombro spoke today about the hat insert he’ll don for the upcoming season and beyond.
“So, its a kevlar-padded helmet. Hard on the outside, padding here on the inside. It inserts into my hat brim, so the bill kind of folds over. The hard piece is to protect my zygomatic bone. [I] cut a little slit so it stays in the hat.”
With new equipment in tow, and new scars to show, Zombro aims to retake the mound for the Rays organization at some point this season, as Minor League Baseball’s Opening Day is set for April 5th.