'Oh my god': America in shock over 'horrific' moment

Major League Baseball was rocked by horrifying scenes on Sunday when Atlanta Braves star Charlie Culberson was hit in the face by a 146km/h pitch.

Culberson sustained multiple facial fractures when he was hit flush on the cheek by a pitch from Washington's Fernando Rodney.

Culberson was released from a hospital on Sunday and was scheduled for additional examinations in Atlanta.

“The guys that did see him said he looked better than they thought he would this morning,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

“He sounded good, for what he'd been through. It's all very encouraging.”

Culberson was struck on the right side of his face as he squared to bunt.

He had a towel pressed to his face as he was helped to his feet and taken off the field on the back of a cart.

Rodney apologises to Braves

Rodney, who was throwing his first pitch of the game, apologised to the Braves on Sunday.

“I only saw that I hit him in the face, it was a scary moment for me, the player, for them,” Rodney said.

“I don't want to hit nobody, no matter where.”

Washington manager Dave Martinez said he called Snitker on Monday to extend his apologies and express concern for Culberson.

The awful scenes left fans in a state of shock.