Toronto Blue Jays’ P Marcus Stroman narrowly avoids comebacker (Video)

Right-hander Marcus Stroman got one whale of a wake-up call Monday to start his night against the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

On the second pitch of the game, Cubs’ leadoff man Chris Coghlan squared up a fastball and returned it to sender … rapidly.

Stroman certainly did dodge a bullet and actually got an out on the play. Shortstop Jose Reyes fielded the deflection off Stroman’s glove and threw out Coghlan at first base.

It’s plays such as that one that prompted San Diego Padres reliever Alex Torres to wear this on his head:

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The Blue Jays have to be breathing a significant sigh of relief, as well. Stroman was a first-round pick out of Duke University in 2012 and debuted in the majors on May 4. He’s 9-5 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.221 WHIP in 22 appearances, 17 of them starts, and 105.2 innings. Stroman has fanned 89 batters in that span.

In all seriousness, though, the line drive back at the pitcher is a major concern for baseball at all levels. We’re only two years removed from then-Oakland Athletics right-hander Brandon McCarthy sustaining a fractured skull when he was hit by a liner and Cincinnati Reds’ All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman was sidelined for several weeks at the start of this season after he was hit by a liner and sustained facial fractures.