EMT’s were standing by with a backboard next to the Dodger’s medical staff. Doc was trying to get Bill to relax so he could look at the injury. A motorized cart was pulling up in case it was needed.
“Scissors,” said Doc Jensen, and was immediately handed a pair by one of his staff.
The Mets were hustling the bleeding rookie pitcher off the field amid trash talk and threats from Bill’s teammates who were looking for payback. One Dodger outfielder had moved in tight and hit the offender in the face, which lead to an exchange of blows between the teams. Now cooler heads, coaches, Jake, the umpire, line judges and staff for both teams were separating the players.
Doc Jensen had the back of Bills shirt cut open so he could see the impact area and examine the contusion, all the while asking him questions about his legs, back and feet. Coach Jackson, on his way over after the brawl had been contained, took a knee so he could listen and observe.
The white-faced rookie was almost under cover in the dugout so Jake jogged to where Bill was lying on the ground.
“Give me a syringe of Vicodin,” ordered Doc.
“Bill, I’m here. I’ll call Megan and Natalie,” said Jake.
Bill gave him a pain filled nod.
“Get some ice packs on this and get him to the X-ray machine,” commanded Doc. “Strap him on the backboard just to be safe.”
Jake ran for the locker room and his phone as Bill raised his hand, letting fans and the TV audience, probably including Natalie, Megan, and Eric, know he was okay.
Doc Jensen had filled in the team and coaches after Bill’s scan results were reviewed. He was going to be okay, so Jake headed for a quiet area to update Natalie and Megan.
“He’s doing okay, Natalie,” said Jake. “When he twisted hard trying to avoid the ball the muscles were tight, he pinched a nerve. That inflammation is compounded by the tissue damaged from the baseball. The diagnosis was confirmed with an MRI. Sounds bad but its only temporary.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Jake, I was really worried.”
“Not a problem, Natalie. Now I need to call Megan.”
“After you talk with her go hit that jerk with a baseball bat for hitting my dad!”
Jake laughed. “I’ll think about it,” he said and clicked off.
“Hey, Megan.”
“Hi Jake, is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine,” said Jake and went on to tell her the same story he told Natalie.
“Then what about his previous injury? Did the team doctor take a look at that?”
“You don’t miss anything do you?”
“I am in medical school, Jake,” she said.
“Doc Jensen said his back has healed better than he expected. I think it surprised him. Bill will be sore for a few weeks and need to be careful, but he’ll be okay.”
“Thanks, Jake,” said Megan. Damn you, Bill, she thought.
Julio Chavez turned off Sports Center after the positive news about Sullivan’s injury. He had been hit in the back several times and knew how much it hurt.