Miami, FL – The Miami Marlins have signed former prospect Adam Greenberg, hit in the head by a pitch in his lone previous big league plate appearance seven years ago, to a one-day contract.
Greenberg, now 31 years old, will return to a major league batter's box on Oct. 2 when the Marlins play the New York Mets at Marlins Park.
As a member of the Chicago Cubs on July 9, 2005, Greenberg was hit in the head by the first pitch he saw from the Marlins' Valerio De Los Santos. After spending the remainder of the season on the disabled list, Greenberg, who suffered from vertigo following the incident, played in the minors and in independent baseball from 2006-11.
"I'm extremely proud to extend this opportunity to Adam," said Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. "He has earned this chance as his love and passion for the game never diminished, despite his career tragically being cut short. I look forward to seeing Adam step up to the plate and realizing his comeback dream next Tuesday night."
Greenberg will donate his one-day salary to charity.
A native of Connecticut, Greenberg was selected by the Cubs in the ninth round of the 2002 draft.
The only other player to be hit by a pitch in his only big league plate appearance and never take the field was Philadelphia's Fred Van Dusen in 1955.
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