Blue Jays pitcher Jesús Sánchez leaves the game after appearing to be hit by a pitch

There are many ways for a baseball player to leave a game injured.

Getting hit in the hand by a ball from a fan in the stands is obviously one of those ways, although it’s not a common one.

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Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez left Sunday’s 9-5 loss against the Baltimore Orioles after being hit by a home ball at Camden Yards. This incident happened at the end of the sixth inning with the Blue Jays trailing the Orioles, 6-0.

At first glance, it looked bad. Sánchez was in the right place during his visit to the stadium, appeared to be talking to fans beyond the wall, turned around and was hit in the right wrist by what appeared to be a baseball.

That led to understandable confusion at Radio Pigogo.

“What are you thinking?” Jim Palmer said. “I will write it now.”

Honestly, that was probably the first reaction of most people watching the video. A ball coming from the goal posts and hitting an opponent doesn’t look very good.

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However, a closer look at the video reveals that there may be an important context here.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson turns a double play past Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesus Sanchez during the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)

Sánchez was seen raising his glove to the crowd just before the ball was returned to him. According to Baltimore Sun reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer, many fans in the right field described the incident as an accident. They said a young fan, about 13 years old, saw Sánchez flapping his glove as if he wanted to play football, and the fan dove late after Sánchez had turned away.

There’s a big difference between a fan throwing a ball at a player and a kid who thinks he’s just had the best chance of his life, only because the timing is so bad.

And this sort of thing has happened before, albeit with much better results.

In 2012, former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Elliot Johnson played nice with fans after inviting him on Twitter. It was one of those neat little baseball stories that reminds everyone how much joy sports can bring to people, even if it’s little more than a touch.

This one, unfortunately, looks like a bad version of that.

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The Orioles said in a statement that the fan was identified and removed from the ball while the team was conducting a thorough investigation. Even if this was an accident, the team still has to find out what happened and make sure Sánchez is okay.

Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez exited against the Orioles after a ball out of the stands hit his wrist, but Toronto said X-rays were negative. (Photos by Nick Turchiaro/Imagn)

Sánchez left the game after going 1-for-2 at the plate. He was replaced in right field by Yohendrick Piñango.

Fortunately for Sánchez and the Blue Jays, the initial injury update was encouraging: The Blue Jays later announced that Sánchez had a bruised right hand and that a follow-up X-ray was negative.

But it’s still a good reminder for fans: Even if you think a major leaguer wants to play with you, maybe wait until you’re absolutely sure he’s looking.