Colorado Rockies relief pitcher John Axford saw his Spring Training interrupted by a rattlesnake, it has been revealed.
The Rockies right-armer anxiously left an MLB pre-season match on Wednesday upon finding out that his two-year-old son, Jameson, had been bit by a baby rattlesnake while staying at the family’s rental home in Arizona, the Denver Post reported.
"It was sheer panic," Axford said.
"Things got very bad, very quickly."
Axford's son was taken to a Phoenix hospital in a serious condition after being bitten twice on his right foot. He was administered six vials of anti-venom medication and is now in a stable condition but may need to have one of his toes amputated if doctors can't stop necrosis of his foot.
"We can't do anything, except give him hugs and kisses - and pancakes sometimes," Axford said.
Axford returned to the Rockies' clubhouse for a bullpen session on Tuesday, but is unsure when he'll return to the team on a full-time basis.
"The last thing I want to do is think about baseball," Axford said.
"We're not sure what is happening. As bad as it looks, it's looking better. We're trying to take things step by step. Any positive thoughts people have for him would be well-received."
Axford, who turns 32 on Wednesday, was added to the 40-man roster in February and is guaranteed to earn $2.6 million this season.