Diamondbacks’ Tony La Russa on Archie Bradley: ‘It looks like he’s going to be in good shape’

Apr 29, 2015, 5:44 PM | Updated: 5:44 pm

LISTEN: Tony La Russa, D-backs Chief Baseball Officer

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies Tuesday night, but the bigger concern was the status of starting pitcher Archie Bradley.

Carlos Gonzalez belted a line drive off of the right side of Bradley’s face in the second inning of Arizona’s 12-5 victory. Bradley immediately fell to the ground and stayed down for several minutes before he was able to walk off the field.

Diamondbacks chief baseball officer Tony La Russa said it seems Bradley is going to be just fine.

“I will tell you that, as of last night, it looks like Archie was a very fortunate young man because there’s all kind of danger-areas there,” La Russa told Doug and Wolf Wednesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “It looks like the sinus cavity has some damage to it, but as far as vision and other parts of the face and concussions, it looks like he’s going to be in good shape.”

The Diamondbacks don’t have an exact timetable on Bradley’s return yet.

La Russa said the early opinion is there are no broken bones, so the team is optimistic he won’t be out long.

After seeing photos of the massive swelling of Bradley’s face, that is pretty unbelievable.

Mere hours after enduring one of the scariest moments in baseball, Bradley returned to Chase Field to congratulate his teammates on the win.

“The awareness and the toughness that represents Archie Bradley, I mean, that was very evident last night,” La Russa said. “He was coherent and when he was over after the game, he kept saying, ‘I don’t know if I should go out there and do any interviews, because I’m going to scare kids when they look at this face.’ He got his act together and he’s a tough, tough young man.

“He’s as tough as he is talented.”

Bradley is off to a strong start in his first season at the major league level. The Diamondbacks have won every game he has started, and Bradley had put in at least six innings of work in each of those starts before Tuesday.

Through 20 innings, Bradley has given up nine hits and has struck out 14. He is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Max Scherzer, left, fields the throw as Colorado Rockies' Ian Stewart scores on a wild pitch in the second inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds reacts after falling into the crowd to field a foul ball against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Max Scherzer, left, confers with catcher Miguel Montero, back right, and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre after giving up a single to Colorado Rockies' Chris Iannetta in the second inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki circles the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks to lead off the second inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Mark Reynolds reacts after a called third strike against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Aaron Cook works against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler follows through with his swing after connecting for an RBI-single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew, left, tags out Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki at second base as he tries to steal in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Franklin Morales, left, confers with catcher Chris Iannetta, front right,and pitching coach Bob Apodaca after Morales loaded the bases against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew follows the flight of his RBI-single against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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