Rays left-hander and No. 1 draft pick David Price injured by barrel of shattered bat

Rays top pick David Price injured by shattered bat

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat.

With no outs and Kevin Youkilis on first base for the Red Sox, Adrian Beltre’s bat splintered on a pitch from Price. The barrel headed toward the mound, where price deflected it with his non-pitching arm.

Price walked off the field with a towel wrapped around his right hand. According to team spokesman Rick Vaughn, Price had an abrasion on his right thumb and will not need stitches.

The Rays held a 1-0 lead at the time, but Youkilis and Beltre eventually scored in the inning, both runs being charged to Price.