D-backs’ Chris Owings exits game after collision with A.J. Pollock

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Chris Owings exited Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants after a collision in right-center field with center fielder A.J. Pollock.

In the top of the third inning with one out and a runner on first, Joe Panik hit a deep fly ball to right-center field.

The ball was headed for the gap right in front of the pool at Chase Field and both Owings and Pollock were in a dead sprint.

It appeared either player expected the other to be there, as Pollock realized Owings was about to catch the ball only a step before Owings’ arrival.

Owings made a sliding catch while Pollock was running far too fast to slow down. Even after Pollock tried to stop, he barrelled right into Owings, with Owings’ slide putting his head right in position for Pollock to make contact with. Owings said after the game he tried to call for the catch at the last second.

Owings got up to throw the ball in but immediately went back down after while Pollock looked fine.

A replay revealed Pollock’s right knee making contact with Owings’ chin.

Owings would exit the game and Jarrod Dyson would take over in right field.

“Obviously a little shaken up after everything happened and definitely a little confused,” Owings said.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said after the game Owings had a head contusion. Owings thought Pollock hit him on the back of the head — where the contusion is — but he saw the replay and determined the whiplash of the collision on the ground is what caused the contusion.

“He’s gonna continue to be evaluated,” Lovullo said.

Owings said he has had concussions in the past. He was run through concussion tests.

Owings was originally in right field to replace Steven Souza Jr., who is currently on the disabled list due to a right shoulder injury and has not played yet in the 2018 regular season.

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