Nebraska pitcher Tucker Timmerman delivers gruesome postgame photo after taking comebacker to the face vs. Vandy

Nebraska baseball opened the 2025 season over the weekend by taking part in the MLB Desert Invitational in Arizona. That included a Saturday evening 6-4 upset of No. 16 Vanderbilt behind a spirited effort from the Huskers.

However, it was pitcher Tucker Timmerman who made waves on social media after a play and postgame image circulated. It involved Timmerman taking a one-hop comebacker to the face off the bat of Jonathan Vastine.

The ball was clocked at 104 MPH off the bat of Vastine and made direct contact with Timmerman’s face, sending the pitcher to the ground where he remained for a long time. The Huskers — somehow — were able to record the out and end the inning, but the full attention was on the status of Timmerman.

The broadcast cameras showed blood already pouring from Timmerman’s face as the training staff arrived, and he was fortunately able to leave the field on his feet with some assistance. That play ended Timmerman’s night after he delivered 2.1 innings of relief while allowing just 1 earned run in Nebraska’s win.

Here is the play and Timmerman’s postgame look after the big blow. Viewer’s discretion is advised due to the amount of blood involved:

The win was also an especially meaningful one for Nebraska. The Huskers lost longtime football and baseball broadcaster Greg Sharpe to cancer on Friday, adding an extra dose of significance to the upset victory.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.