Announcement
By Bruce Tillman
After spending the majority of the night at the
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, there is apparently some optimistic news regarding
the injury to Chiefs’ cleanup man Johnny Welch. Welch was struck in the face by
a fastball during the sixth inning of Monday’s game against the Reading
Bulldogs at Maplewood.
Welch reportedly underwent several clinical tests and the results of a CAT Scan and x-rays on his cheek bone were negative.
“I was with Johnny and his dad at the hospital until early this morning”, said Chiefs’ manager Chuck Andre, who was reached by cell phone shortly after 2:00 AM. “Johnny remains upbeat and was actually texting some of his teammates despite being in quite a bit of pain”, said Andre.
Welch, a Medford native who spent the last several years playing pro ball, required numerous sutures (stitches) to stop the bleeding from a number of cuts inside his mouth.
“Johnny is going to be very sore and could have a few loose teeth in the morning”, added Andre, “but he’s a gamer and it was a very scary moment but the early prognosis seems positive so we are hopeful that he will be okay.”
Welch was realeased from the hospital early Tuesday and his status is day to day.
