It's no secret being 60 feet, 6 inches away from a batter hitting a 95 mph fastball back at you puts you in some pretty significant danger. Just ask guys like Alex Cobb and former Rangers pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Dustin Nippert.
On Tuesday, MLB approved a special protective cap for pitchers — no idea why that's something that had to be "approved" — to help protect them from line drives back to the mound that can be dangerous and even deadly if things go poorly.
The caps are optional and will be tested during spring training, and several Texas Rangers pitchers are interested in giving it a try.
“I’m not a fashion person, so I don’t care how it looks as long as it’s protecting me,” Matt Harrison told ESPN Dallas.
McCarthy, who missed months a couple of years ago after being hit in the head, said he won't wear the cap, but his former Rangers teammate said he will consider it.
“If it’s going to save people, it’s definitely worth it,” injured Rangers starter Derek Holland told Richard Durrett. “It may take some time to find something real good, but it’s a start and hopefully it will help eliminate the major injuries. Anything that’s going to keep me safe, I’ll wear it. To see friends and other teammates that have been affected by it, like Brandon McCarthy, I’m going to be with them on it.”
