Daniel Bard felt a mixture of relief and regret as Team USA earned a trip to the World Baseball Classic semifinals following its 9-7 victory over Venezuela on Saturday.
On one hand, Bard watched as Trea Turner's eighth-inning grand slam gave the U.S. the lead and propelled it into a semifinal matchup Sunday vs. Cuba. On the other hand, Bard had failed badly earlier in the game after inheriting a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning. The Rockies closer faced four batters; he allowed a hit and two walks, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches without recording an out.
One of his 17 pitches hit Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve in his right hand, sending him to the ground in pain. Bard could be seen briefly ducking his head as the Venezuela staff tended to Altuve and eventually escorted him into the dugout.
Jose Altuve leaves the game after being hit in the hand by a pitch. pic.twitter.com/Dzd9phTnnK
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2023
What Bard hoped was nothing more than a sprain or bruise turned out to be a fracture, as confirmed by the Astros on Sunday. USA Today reports that Altuve will have a recovery time of eight to 10 weeks following surgery.
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Bard said he felt "terrible" for the pitch that knocked Altuve out of the game.
"I was going sinker-in for a swing. I missed up and in. You just hate to see it. You saw my reaction," Bard told USA Today Sports in the dugout before the Cuba game.
"It's never easy," he added. "You want to make some guys maybe uncomfortable in the box, but not to the point of getting them hurt, ever. The intent of that pitch was to get a ground ball, and I just missed in."
Bard said he hasn't yet reached out to Altuve following his injury but hopes to get his number from fellow Team USA members Ryan Pressly and Kyle Tucker, two of Altuve's Astros teammates.
MORE: Trea Turner grand slam propels USA to berth in semifinals
"He’s a great player," Bard said of Altuve. "You want to see great players on the field, even if I have to play against him. I want to play against the best. I wish him, hopefully, a quick recovery. I know it will be a minute.’"