Nationals Shortstop Alcides Escobar Took a Pickoff Throw to the Junk

Nationals shortstop Alcides Escobar is happy he wears a cup during games.  That's because on Thursday night he took a pickoff throw to the junk.

After a base hit in the top of the fourth inning Pirates pitcher J.T. Brubaker tried to pick Escobar off as he took a lead.  First baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo missed the throw and Escobar took a direct shot before falling to the ground.

Thanks to the cup Escobar was okay and remained in the game.

Alcides Escobar is a true warrior for being able to laugh this off pic.twitter.com/B52gzusS95

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 15, 2022

Even with a cup on you don't want to take too many fastballs right in the junk.  This would have been much worse had Escobar gone unprotected.