Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Evan Marshall made a successful return to Major League Baseball on Sunday, pitching two perfect innings in the D-backs' 7-3 win at the San Diego Padres.
The return of Marshall, whom the D-backs called up from Triple-A Reno earlier in the day, is remarkable considering the near-fatal injury he suffered just eight months ago.
In August, the 25-year-old right-hander was hit in the right temple by a line drive during a minor league game, resulting in a skull fracture. He underwent surgery "to alleviate swelling and pressure" and was pronounced in stable condition afterwards, according to a D-backs media release.
But Marshall has made a full recovery. He went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA for the D-backs during Cactus League play, and his two shutout innings Sunday were his first MLB regular-season action since his injury.
After he pitched, Marshall took to Twitter to thank his family, friends and the D-backs for their support during his recovery.
@Dbacks @MLB @allieweg2242 #Butters pic.twitter.com/N7QMTo8LcA
— Evan Marshall (@emarsh31) April 18, 2016
.@emarsh31 reflects on his first game back in the big leagues. pic.twitter.com/uoZWQL7Np1
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 17, 2016
Marshall received a ton of support on social media -- including from today's starting pitcher, Patrick Corbin.
@emarsh31 welcome back!!!
— Patrick Corbin (@PatrickCorbin46) April 18, 2016
Hard to ask for a more impressive inning from @emarsh31 in his #Dbacks return today! #dominantstuff So great to see!! @Dbacks
— Steve Berthiaume (@BertDbacks) April 17, 2016
True statement. https://t.co/CxTcMe13cn
— Brad Ziegler (@BradZiegler) April 18, 2016
Great to see you back @emarsh31
— David Hernandez (@DHern_30) April 18, 2016
