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A pitch to the face nearly ended Nick Podkul’s career. Here’s how the Phillies minor leaguer found his way back.

Six months ago, the game was almost taken away from Podkul, who was playing at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Now he’s preparing to overcome his fear of facing a live pitch again.

Nick Podkul is in Phillies camp in Clearwater, Fla., six months after taking a pitch to the face.
Nick Podkul is in Phillies camp in Clearwater, Fla., six months after taking a pitch to the face.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer