Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jonathan Heasley took his role as a hurler a bit too literally on Wednesday, vomiting on the mound during his season debut against the Baltimore Orioles.
Heasley, making his first MLB appearance since 2024 and his Rays debut, threw up in the bottom of the fifth inning during an 11-2 loss. The incident occurred as he faced Orioles designated hitter Colby Mayo, who singled after the delay.
"Oh, not feeling so hot out on the hill," one of the Rays broadcasters said in a video clip posted on social media. "You could tell he was feeling some discomfort after the first few pitches to Colby Mayo."
This is not the first time Heasley has experienced such an issue. According to the Rays broadcast, he had a similar incident with the Durham Bulls, the team's Triple-A affiliate. He also reportedly told reporters that he vomited "regularly" while playing high school football.
"He said he just has a weak stomach," Rays sideline reporter Ryan Bass said. "It sometimes happens when his nerves kick up a little bit."
Heasley even warned reporters beforehand, explaining that it is a combination of adrenaline, nerves, and a weak stomach. "So if it does happen, don't be alarmed, I'm all right," he said, via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Not the Only Athlete with a History of Tossing Cookies
Heasley is far from alone in experiencing such an issue during competition. Baseball has numerous bizarre stories, from hungover players vomiting before games to Los Angeles Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax's use of "atomic balm," a toxic salve containing chili peppers, to ease elbow pain. According to Jane Leavy's biography on Koufax, teammate Lou Johnson once wore the Hall of Famer's jersey on a cold night in Pittsburgh and subsequently broke out in sweat, blistered skin, and vomited.
In football, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen told reporters last year that he "basically" vomits before or during every game, after cameras caught him doing so on the sidelines during a game against the New England Patriots.
Then there was the infamous 2024 incident when Green Bay Packers center Josh Myers vomited at the line of scrimmage, much to the dismay of quarterback Malik Willis.
Of course, Michael Jordan's "flu game" during the 1997 NBA Finals also comes to mind, where the Chicago Bulls star spent pre-game vomiting before scoring 38 points against the Utah Jazz.
So chin up, Mr. Heasley. You're in good company.
