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Orioles manager playfully puts on a mask in the dugout to protect himself from foul balls

Orioles manager playfully puts on a mask in the dugout to protect himself from foul balls | iNFOnews.ca
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz speaks with reporters before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Orioles manager Craig Albernaz is willing to go to great lengths to protect his face now.

Albernaz, who ended up with a broken jaw last month when he was hit by a foul ball, donned a glove and mask in the dugout Sunday after Pete Alonso sent another foul toward the bench area.

Albernaz first went and grabbed a glove. Then he put on a catcher’s helmet and mask for a bit, drawing some laughs.

He said afterward that Athletics manager Mark Kotsay was egging him on.

“Alonso hit a ball that pretty much was really close to me, and almost hit me,” Albernaz said. “I happened to look over at Kotsay, and he was laughing and he was telling me to put the mask on and stuff.”

The Orioles went on to beat the A’s 2-1.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Orioles manager playfully puts on a mask in the dugout to protect himself from foul balls | iNFOnews.ca
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz looks on from the dugout during a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Orioles manager playfully puts on a mask in the dugout to protect himself from foul balls | iNFOnews.ca
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz walks on the field after a pitching change during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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The Associated Press

Noah Trister

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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