With the Tigers leading, 4-3, Hill dropped a bunt down the first-base line to lead off the fifth inning, then hit the gas racing to the bag as Rays starter Ryan Yarbrough fielded the ball and shoveled it over to Ji-Man Choi. The ball arrived at nearly the same time as both Hill and Choi, striking Hill in the back as he stretched to reach the bag ahead of the throw.
Yarbrough’s toss was rushed and inside, causing Choi to pull closer to the bag and collide with the speedy Hill. The latter’s left foot skidded across the base, and he appeared to hyperextend his left knee in the process. Choi’s left hand/wrist also made hard contact with Hill’s left shoulder as Hill went flying past the bag and into a hard tumble to the turf. His head struck the ground in the process, sending his helmet cartwheeling another 20 feet beyond.
As Choi doubled over while trying his best to shake off the apparent injury to his glove hand, Hill writhed on the ground for several moments, with obvious pain etched on his face. Tigers medical staff first assessed him, then eventually helped him into a sitting position. After a few more moments of discussion, Hill was able to stand and hobble — with help — the two steps to the medical cart that awaited nearby. He was then transported to a wheelchair behind home plate and taken off the field.
While Choi was able to remain in the game after he was checked out by the Rays’ training staff, no immediate update on Hill’s condition was announced. He was ruled out on the play due to batter’s interference.
Hill was replaced by Victor Reyes in the batting order. Reyes took over in right field, Robbie Grossman shifted from right to left and Akil Baddoo slid from left to center.