Blue Jays' Rodriguez pulled in first inning after hitting Orioles' McCann in head

Yariel Rodriguez's outing against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday couldn't have gone much worse for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Cuban right-hander was pulled after getting just two outs, issuing four walks and one hit batter before being replaced by Brandon Eisert with the bases loaded.

His last pitch was a 94.6 m.p.h. up-and-in fastball that hit Orioles catcher James McCann in the head.

Baltimore's backup catcher immediately dropped to the ground. He was bleeding profusely when team head athletic trainer Brian Ebel began providing treatment at the plate.

McCann eventually shuffled to first base, but was still bleeding before manager Brandon Hyde sent him to the dugout.

At that point, Rodriguez was removed from the game by Toronto manager John Schneider. During the ensuing delay to allow Eisert to warm up, McCann continued to receive treatment in the Baltimore dugout.

By the time the game was ready to resume, McCann had stopped bleeding and returned to the field, wearing a new jersey and taking his spot as a runner at first base.

Rodriguez ended his appearance with four runs allowed and one strikeout on 43 pitches.

Eisert managed to escape the inning, forcing Colten Cowser to ground out to short.

The 26-year-old Rodriguez was making his 11th start of the season but just didn't have the command to compete with the high-powered Baltimore lineup.

He has been excellent his last four times out, posting a 2.01 ERA with 25 strikeouts and eight walks while racking up 22.1 innings over those four starts. But Monday, he set a new career high in walks allowed, and tied for the most earned runs he has allowed in a single outing — all before getting three outs.

Considering the Blue Jays were in the first half of Monday's doubleheader when Rodriguez came out, they will need to get some length from the rest of their pitching staff to make it through both games.

— With files from The Associated Press