Rangers Slugger Willie Calhoun Releases Statement After Being Hit in Face by Julio Urias Fastball

It was impossible to watch Texas Rangers youngster Willie Calhoun be struck in the face by a fastball on Sunday without cringing, immediately worrying about his future, and scrounging for updates.

When we heard Calhoun was undergoing surgery to fix a broken jaw, we weren't surprised -- this was very evocative of Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Fiers' terrifying incident a few years back, and in a far less impactful game.

Calhoun released his first statement on Monday following the surgical procedure, and he's just as ready to return to action as the rest of us are to see him show off his skills.

Calhoun will be on the shelf for an extended period of time, but his first official reevaluation will come following two weeks of rest.

The 25-year-old Calhoun, a former Dodgers farmhand who's often felt out of sorts in Texas, finally arrived in 2019, albeit under the radar. He hit .269 with 21 homers and 48 RBI in only 309 at-bats, proving beyond a doubt that he belonged in a big league outfield.

Luckily, it won't be too long before he returns to one at a brand new ballpark.