Red Sox outfield prospect Bryce Brentz is not present at spring training. Reporters went digging, and they found out why: He accidentally shot himself while cleaning a handgun earlier this winter. Alex Speier of WEEI has some quotes from Brentz:
“Everything is fine,” Brentz said. “After the rookie program, I had an accident. Everything is fine, but I was cleaning my gun and it accidentally discharged on me and I sustained an injury. Nothing serious. That’s why I was out of big league camp, because at the time I’m not able to participate fully, but I am recovering very fast and should be OK for the season.
“That’s all I can really comment on — everything is fine. I’m just recovering and that’s why I’m not able to participate in big league spring training.”
Brentz was pretty tight-lipped about the incident, but I guess I would be too. Not exactly something to be proud of. It's safe to assume, however, that it was just an accident and nothing to read anything into.
Brentz is unlikely to be a major contributor for the big club in 2013, although he could be a call-up later this summer. SoxProspects has him as the 6th-best prospect in the Sox system; he was not included in Keith Law's top 100 list. Brentz had a big year in 2012, hitting .290 with 17 homers and raising his profile in the system.
