CINCINNATI — Five days after breaking his neck, Rockies’ pitcher Juan Nicasio was released from a Denver-area hospital Wednesday and is resting comfortably at home, manager Jim Tracy said.
“It is surprising after what we all witnessed,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “To know how close this was to being career-ending, and then hear this, it’s really great news.”
Nicasio, 24, suffered a fractured C1 vertebra after being struck by Ian Desmond’s line drive in the temple Friday at Coors Field. Nicasio fell motionless to the ground, then regained consciousness as he rolled over, allowing him to inform Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger of his neck injury.
After walking on back-to-back days with assistance at the hospital, Nicasio was discharged. Dugger remained with him this week at the hospital. Nicasio’s family was thrilled with the news of his release. The family traveled to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from their home in Arenoso to expedite travel issues. His mother, Aurelia Prado, and sister, Adria Prado, have secured passports and remain hopeful that one or both will have a visa to fly to Denver sometime in the next few days.
Tracy has been providing daily updates on Nicasio, and couldn’t hide his smile before Wednesday’s game at Great American Ball Park.
“This is so nice to be able to share this with you all, that he’s gone home,” Tracy said. “I don’t know if he will have the TV on and be watching us, but I want to make sure he knows how much the fans, the coaches and his teammates are thinking about him.”
Rockies players have not planned an official function to greet Nicasio, but several are interested in seeing him when they return from the weeklong road trip. Desmond, whose second-inning line drive hit Nicasio, was able to visit the pitcher in the hospital last weekend, easing his mind a bit. There were moments on the mound where it appeared to be a life-threatening situation.
“He’s doing fine,” Rockies reliever Josh Roenicke said of Desmond, his brother-in-law. “As a hitter, your job is to hit the ball hard. Obviously, this is not something you expect to happen. It helped that he was able to see him.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
