NEW YORK — Oh, no:

Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez was shaken up in the top of the sixth inning of the AL wild-card game on Tuesday after a Brian Dozier foul tip appeared to catch him square in the groin.

Pitcher David Robertson reacted with the empathetic grimace of a man who has probably also taken a baseball to the groin at some point in his life:

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

We have no indication that Gary Sanchez is an insane person, so it’s likely he was wearing protection. But anyone who thinks said protection is adequate in the case of a direct hit is welcome to put on an athletic supporter and have friends throw baseballs at his groin. There’s no way this was pleasant:

Home-plate umpire Alfonso Marquez, in keeping with the catcher-umpire code, walked the ball out to Robertson to give Sanchez a moment. But after briefly crumbling to the ground in pain, the catcher remained in the game like a hero.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Hug your nearest catchers, for theirs is a difficult lot.