Blue Jays’ Melky Cabrera leaves game vs Royals after getting hit by pitch in shin

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Melky Cabrera has left the Toronto Blue Jays’ game against the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning after getting hit in the left shin by a pitch from reliever Danny Duffy.

Cabrera appeared to be squaring to bunt Wednesday night on the first pitch from Duffy, who had just replaced starter Yordano Ventura. Cabrera was late to recognize that the pitch was inside and leaped back as it hit him in the shin, dropping him to the dirt.

The Blue Jays’ left fielder rolled around in pain on the grass down the third-base line while Duffy crouched behind the mound. Cabrera was eventually helped off the field.

Jonathan Diaz entered the game in Cabrera’s place as a pinch runner.