Venezuelan Jose Altuve comes out after the fastball hits the hand at 96mph

MIAMI — Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, star of Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, took a 90s fastball into his hands late in the fifth inning and immediately left the Saturday’s quarter-final game.

Team USA right-hander Daniel Bard kicked Altuve with a fastball that arrived at 96 mph, causing Altuve to fall to the ground and be immediately withdrawn as he felt noticeable pain.

The pitch appeared to glance at his left hand before hitting him near the right wrist. Altuve held his right wrist as he returned to the dugout.

The Astros said Altuve is being evaluated for a right hand injury and won’t have an update until Sunday.

Bard, a Colorado Rockies reliever, also walked twice, uncorked two wild pitches and threw 10 of 17 for walks in the fifth. Venezuela ended up scoring four runs in the set to take a 6-5 lead.

The winner of Saturday’s match replays Sunday, in the semi-final against Cuba.