Orioles Manager Suffers 7 Fractures After Foul Ball to Face

Craig Albernaz will have to eat baby food for 6 weeks as he recovers from the multiple facial injuries.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:03pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball manager being struck in the face by a foul ball, with the impact broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the chaotic moment when a foul ball struck Orioles manager Craig Albernaz in the face, leading to multiple facial fractures.Baltimore Today

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz suffered seven orbital fractures and a broken jaw after being struck in the face by a foul ball during Monday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the severe injuries, Albernaz was back in the dugout the very next day, though he will have to consume only baby food for the next six weeks as his face heals.

Why it matters

Albernaz's resilience and dedication to his team despite his painful injuries have inspired his players and the Baltimore community. The incident also highlights the risks managers and coaches face when standing in the dugout during games, and the importance of safety measures to protect them.

The details

The foul ball came whipping toward the Orioles' dugout and hit Albernaz square on the right side of his face, resulting in seven fractures in his orbital area and a broken jaw. However, Albernaz was back at Camden Yards the very next day, less than 24 hours after suffering the multiple facial injuries. While he has a visible bruise on the right side of his face, Albernaz will not require surgery and will only need to eat baby food for the next six weeks as his face heals.

  • The incident occurred on Monday night during the Orioles' game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
  • Albernaz was back in the dugout the very next day, on Tuesday.

The players

Craig Albernaz

The first-time MLB manager of the Baltimore Orioles, who suffered seven orbital fractures and a broken jaw after being struck in the face by a foul ball during Monday night's game.

Jeremiah Jackson

The Orioles player whose foul ball struck Albernaz in the face, causing the manager's multiple facial injuries.

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What they’re saying

“This is what we're here for. We're here for the players. We have a game. I'm physically able to be here, so let's go.… If my jaw was wired shut, I'd still be here.”

— Craig Albernaz, Orioles Manager

“Ball hit me pretty flush in the cheek, but I feel good. Luckily, no surgery. I think all in all, it was at least seven fractures in my cheek area, orbital, and then a broken jaw. But luckily, it doesn't have to be wired. No surgery. I just have to eat baby food for six weeks.”

— Craig Albernaz, Orioles Manager

“I hit, and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face. My heart kind of dropped. I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.… Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better. I'm just happy he's doing OK and in good spirits.”

— Jeremiah Jackson, Orioles Player

What’s next

Albernaz will continue to lead the Orioles from the dugout as he recovers, though he will be limited to a baby food diet for the next six weeks.

The takeaway

Albernaz's resilience and dedication to his team in the face of such a painful injury has inspired his players and the Baltimore community, highlighting the risks managers and coaches face and the importance of safety measures to protect them.