Justin Turner leaves Red Sox spring training after terrifying HBP to his face (Video)

Boston Red Sox star Justin Turner was drilled in the face in a spring training game, and was forced to leave the game as a result.

Hopefully Justin Turner will be okay, as he’s in our thoughts following a scary moment in the Red Sox spring training game this Monday. Turner, who was signed this offseason in part to man a corner infield spot and DH, was forced out of action.

The video, linked here, is rather graphic. We chose not to post it directly into the piece out of respect for Turner, but thankfully he was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Red Sox spring training: Justin Turner forced to leave game

Boston sees a lot of J.D. Martinez in Justin Turner, and that sort of veteran presence in the clubhouse is necessary for a Sox team that hopes to surprise people in the AL East this season.

“J.T. is a pretty good player,” Alex Cora said about the similarities, per MassLive. “And he has been the leader of that group over there in L.A. for a while. I hate comparing situations but it feels similar to what happened in ‘18, bringing J.D. to that group. And with Turner here, it feels the same way. Just talking to him and (hitting coach Pete Fatse) having conversations with him about approaches and preparation and all that stuff. I think it’s very similar.”

Kiké Hernandez, who has played with most players are served as a recruiter of sorts to get Turner to sign with Boston, sees some similarities as well.

“They both prepare really well and they both have a really good idea on how to attack pitchers,” Hernández said. “I would say (Turner) is going to be a little more vocal than (Martinez). J.D. spoke in a lot of the meetings in terms of how to attack the (pitchers), but I think (Turner) is going to be more engaged in the game.”

The Red Sox are likely to take things slow with Turner’s injury. At 38 years old, there’s no point in rushing him back for spring training action.