Miami Marlins starting pitcher Daniel Castano posted a message on Twitter in the wake of Thursday’s scary on-field incident — in which he was hit in the head with a line drive — to assure everyone that he would be OK and to thank all those who supported and prayed for him.
He also took the opportunity to say he’s thankful to have assurance in Christ.
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“Thank you everyone for the love, support, and prayers,” Castano’s message read. “I’m doing well and it could have been a lot worse. Beyond thankful for the efficiency and kindness of my coaches, trainers, teammates and Solano, what was shown to me today truly goes beyond the game. What a sobering reminder on the brevity of life, thankful to have my assurance in Christ.”
— Daniel Castano (@Daniel_Casty21) July 28, 2022
He then cited the Bible verse Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Castano’s injury came in the first inning of Thursday’s matchup between the Marlins and the Cincinnati Reds, when he could not cover his head quickly enough to prevent a 104 mph line drive off the bat of Reds second baseman Donovan Solano from striking him on the forehead.
Castano never appeared to lose consciousness but sat on the field and held his head as teammates, athletic trainers and even Solano himself made sure he was OK. Castano gingerly made his way off the field and was later diagnosed with a concussion, although his CT scan was normal. The game continued and the Marlins won, 7-6.
After the game, a bandaged-up Castano reported he was feeling much better.
“I’m just glad we got the out [on the play],” he said with a smile, according to ESPN. The ball had caromed high off of his forehead and was caught.
The 27-year-old has been with the Marlins for parts of each of the last three seasons, appearing in 22 games (17 starts). In fact, he had just joined the team from Triple-A to make Thursday’s start.
It was in baseball’s minor leagues that God worked in Castano’s heart to bring him to Himself. Castano grew up with believing parents, yet had fallen deep into the party scene. But with the St. Louis Cardinals’ and then the Marlins’ minor-league affiliates, the Lord surrounded him with genuine believers who demonstrated what a life of faith truly looks like.
“One part of being a Christian is having a good and faithful church,” Castano told HeavenToTheYeah.com this past May. “They pointed me in the direction of a church down the road where I began to talk to someone who opened my eyes to the Scriptures and of living a life of righteousness.”
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Castano came to the realization that he was in need of a Savior, and Jesus was the only One who could do so. He truly saw for the first time what Christ has done, and along with that came great humility.
“My biggest prayer last year as a new believer was for the Lord to humble me and soften my heart, for the root of a lot of sin is pride, and that is something I never understood,” he told Heaven to the Yeah.
Castano continued later, “God’s grace gives me a thankful heart. The Lord has given me all that I have as His grace shines in the mercy He provides and gifts He gives. If we were nonbelievers, then our work would be in vain; everything we do has a purpose for eternal salvation.”
There is no word yet on when Castano will return to the Marlins (47-55), who begin a three-game home series with the Reds on Monday. The first pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Until he returns, Castano will continue to rest and recuperate, even knowing that his soul is eternally at rest in the arms of his Lord and Savior.
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