MLB: Karstens fractures right fibula

And he stayed in to pitch to another batter...tough kid.

Yankees right-hander Jeff Karstens suffered a fractured right fibula on his first pitch Saturday, as he was struck by a line drive that forced him to exit the game.

Karstens, a 24-year-old rookie, was making his second start of the season for New York after missing the Opening Day roster due to right elbow tendinitis. His first pitch was a fastball to Red Sox leadoff hitter Julio Lugo, who ripped a line drive off the hurler’s right leg, sending Karstens into a pained crumple on the mound.

“You start the season on the DL, and come back, they give you another shot to pitch, and the first pitch of the game the guy hits a line drive off my leg,” Karstens said. “It’s a long season though, so I’ve got to come back and come back strong.”