Atlanta Native MLB Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt Takes A Hit To The Head, Drawing Concern From Wife Katherine Berrigan

April 17, 2026

This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on April 17, 2026

Hunter Wendelstedt, a longtime MLB umpire, had to be taken to the hospital on 16 April after getting hit in the face by a foul ball.

The incident happened in the seventh inning when a hard-hit ball off the bat of Tyrone Taylor, the Mets’ center fielder, struck Wendelstedt near first base.

He went down right away after the hit.

Taylor and Twins pitcher Louis Varland looked visibly shaken after seeing what happened.

Wendelstedt has been a big-league umpire for 28 seasons.

The Wendelstedt Family, Including Wife Katherine And Two Daughters, Worry For The Veteran Umpire

Wendelstedt’s wife, Katherine Berrigan Wendelstedt, was notified shortly after the incident and is said to be by his side as he undergoes further evaluation.

In 2026, MLB umpire Hunter Wendelstedt was publicly seen with his wife, Katherine, at the Giants vs. Braves game at Oracle Park.

Hunter stays off social media, and Katherine only occasionally shares photos of them or their two daughters, keeping most of their family life private.

Well, the foul ball hit Hunter Wendelstedt with such force that he dropped instantly to the ground, prompting an immediate response from the Mets’ first base coach, who urgently called for trainers.

After the game, crew chief Todd Tichenor said that Hunter Wendelstedt was awake, talking, and going through concussion protocol just to be safe.

They hope it’s nothing serious and he might need a few stitches.

Wendelstedt, who is 53 years old, stayed down while the Twins’ medical team checked on him.

After a few moments, he could get up and walk off the field on his own, holding a towel to the left side of his head.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli also showed concern for Wendelstedt after the incident.

He said everyone was thinking of him and was relieved to see him walk off the field alone, adding that it was a much better outcome than what could have been.

Baldelli hopes Wendelstedt is doing okay.

Like everyone else, Katherine hopes Hunter Wendelstedt is okay after the incident.

She has been by his side, supporting him and wishing for a quick recovery.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Katherine Berrigan Wendelstedt studied at Loyola University in New Orleans and attended Ursuline Academy.
• Hunter’s father, Harry Hunter “Chief” Wendelstedt, Jr., 73, of Ormond Beach, FL, a professional baseball icon, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2012, at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center.
• Katherine is originally from Madisonville.

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