MLB pitcher Ryan Feltner suffers fractured skull after being smashed in the head by line drive in fr

MLB pitcher Ryan Feltner has spent the night in a Denver area hospital after a frightening incident Saturday.

The 26-year-old Colorado Rockies pitcher suffered a fractured skull after being hit by a line drive from Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos during the Rockies' 7-4 loss at Coors Field.

At the top of the second inning, with the Phillies up 4-0, Castellanos' 92.7mph drive appeared to hit Feltner on the side of the head, causing him to fall straight onto the mound.

Laying on his stomach, he appeared to lift his head up immediately after and shake it, squinting and rubbing his eyes before swiftly receiving attention.

Feltner didn't seem to lose consciousness at any point, eventually being helped to his feet and off the field by two Rockies staff members.

On Sunday, the Rockies tweeted that Feltner has been placed "on the 15-day injured list with a skull fracture."

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Pitcher Riley Pint has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in his place.

After the game, Castellanos was reportedly "shaken in the clubhouse," per ESPN, and had spoken to Rockies players to find out more about Feltner's condition.

Having reached first base after the drive, he explained: "There was a part of me that wanted to go to the mound, but I guess the baseball player takes over and you run to first.

"As soon as I touched first I turned around and was really hoping what just happened didn't happen."

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Castellanos later told the media that he felt "A lot of remorse, concern, worry.

"I don't know, I've turned into a softy since I had kids. I don't like stuff like that."

And onlooking fans were equally shaken by the incident, with one such fan tweeting: "From a Phillies fan, i hope he’s okay.

"It was definitely hard to watch :’( The face of Castellanos said it all."

Another said: "Praying for Ryan. That was a very serious play, and I am happy to see that he was able to walk away but nevertheless, it is still very serious and dangerous. #18 #RyanFeltner"

While one wrote: "Absolutely scary when a line drive comes back like that.

"Keeping Ryan Feltner in my thoughts tonight."

Colorado's second straight loss leaves them at the bottom of the NL West with a 16-24 record.

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The Phillies, meanwhile, sit second in the NL East at 20-19, behind only the 25-14 Atlanta Braves.

The two sides will face off once more at Coors Field on Sunday at 3.10pm ET.

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