AP Images

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 18

Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald has the latest update on Giancarlo Stanton's injury:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 17

Marlins manager Mike Redmond made it official and announced that Giancarlo Stanton is out for the rest of the season, via MLB.com's Joe Frisaro:

Frisaro also reported the latest on Giancarlo Stanton's health and recovery:

Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton underwent a series of checkups in Miami on Tuesday, and indications are that the two-time All-Star will not be medically cleared to return before the season ends on Sept. 28 at Washington. Earlier in the afternoon, the team had been hopeful that Stanton's recovery from facial injuries was progressing enough for the slugger to come back in some capacity. But after Miami lost, 9-1, to the Mets, manager Mike Redmondconfirmed it was doubtful the team would be regaining its power-hitting right fielder.

"[Stanton] was being checked out later this afternoon," Redmond said. "We'll have an official statement [Wednesday], but it's probably not looking good for him."

Updates from Tuesday, Sept. 16

Giancarlo Stanton shared a photo on his Instagram account showing the damage he suffered from getting hit by a pitch last Thursday night with the caption:

The Aftermath...Making huge progress!! Want to thank everyone who has played a part in my recovery process. Your kind messages, thoughts & prayers have meant the world to me. Pushing forward

(WARNING: Photo is extremely graphic):

Updates from Saturday, Sept. 13

Joe Frisaro of MLB.com updated Giancarlo Stanton's status:

Updates from Friday, Sept. 12

Giancarlo Stanton took to Twitter to give an update on his condition:

The Miami Marlins released a statement on Stanton's condition:

Original Text

Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton left Thursday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers via ambulance in the fifth inning after being struck in the face by a Mike Fiers fastball.

Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald has the latest on Stanton's injury:

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro had more:

Stanton, behind 0-1 in the count, went down immediately as he was struck by a pitch that obviously got away from the Brewers starter. As Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted, Stanton lay on the field while being attended to by trainers for an extended period of time:

MLB has released video of the injury (Warning: Video contains graphic footage).

The team sent out a "get well" tweet that adequately described the gravity of the situation:

Fiers offered his condolences as well:

After the game, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald had Mike Redmond's thoughts:

On replay, the ball appeared to hit Stanton directly in the left cheek as he attempted to shield himself from the pitch. Because his bat came across the zone as he was getting out of the way, Fiers was actually awarded a strike on the play.

Fiers, obviously out of sorts from the situation, immediately plunked pinch-hitter Reed Johnson on his next offering. (The pitch was later ruled a strike because Johnson also went around.) The benches cleared as emotions bubbled over for players from both sides, with Haudricourt noting Miami's Casey McGehee was particularly incensed:

Stanton, 24, entered Thursday as a serious contender for the National League MVP award. He's hitting .288/.397/.556 with a league-high 37 home runs and 105 RBI. Only Nelson Cruz of the Baltimore Orioles leads Stanton's home run total with 39.

"He's the leader of this franchise,'' Marlins president David Samson told USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "We always knew the talent he had, but what he's done this year, playing every day, he's the definition of a game-changer. We call him a no-food player. A no-bathroom player. When he comes to the plate, nobody leaves their seat.

"There's no question he's the MVP of this league."

The most obvious concern right now is Stanton's health. At 88 miles per hour, Fiers hit Stanton hard in an area where there are a ton of small bones that can take a long time to heal or even create vision problems. With Stanton due a massive contract extension sometime this offseason—one that will make him one of the highest-paid players in baseball—hopefully there is no long-term damage that could carry into next season.

The Marlins are still technically in the NL wild-card race, entering Thursday 4.5 games back of Pittsburgh for the second spot. Any long-term injury for Stanton strips them of their chances. Stanton is the fifth-most valuable hitter in baseball, according to FanGraphs' Wins Above Replacement, and is one of a select few bona fide superstars in a still-developing Miami lineup.

But until there's word he's OK, the playoffs are the last thing on the mind of anyone associated with the Marlins organization.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter