Brian Serven injury update: A's catcher exits after taking ball to face in scary moment

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA — Athletics catcher Brian Serven left Wednesday’s game early after taking a ball to the face.

Serven was at bat in the bottom of the sixth inning when Angels pitcher José Fermin threw a 94 mph changeup that resulted in a foul ball.

The pitch just skimmed Serven’s bat, which he had in a bunt position, and ricocheted directly into his left cheek bone, just under his eye. He took the impact and fell to the dirt.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay and the team trainer ran immediately onto the field to check on Serven as Angels’ infielders took a sportsmanship knee. Serven was down for several moments but slowly got up, signaling he was OK.

Brian Serven had to leave the game mid at-bat after a foul ball struck him in the face https://t.co/cLSruT4QX3

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 24, 2026