Hensley recovering after 'brutal attack'

Yankees pitching prospect Ty Hensley is home recuperating after being "brutally attacked and assaulted" near Oklahoma City over the holidays, according to a statement sent to SB Nation by his attorney Rob Martin of ICON Sports.

"Ty was treated and released from the hospital and is presently recovering at home from the injuries he sustained after being knocked unconscious in this vicious attack," the statement reads. "Ty and his family are grateful for all of the support, thoughts, and prayers he's received from friends, fans and well-wishers. We respectfully request privacy during this difficult time."

Hensley tweeted a similar message of gratitude Thursday night.

I just want to thank everyone who has reached out to me today. Your thoughts, prayers, and support are much appreciated by my family and I!

- Ty Hensley (@TyHensley17) January 9, 2015

Hensley's other attorney Jacob Diesselhorst added to River Ave. Blues that the attack happened at a home in a town called The Village, where Hensley was beaten from behind until he was unconscious and was continually hit even after losing consciousness. He suffered facial injuries and was hospitalized right after. No charges have been filed as of Thursday morning, although Diesselhorst added that police in The Village "recommended an aggravated assault and battery charge," according to River Ave. Blues. (UPDATE: Charges have been officially filed against 24-year-old Anthony Morales. Morales is a former linebacker from Weber State University who was signed by the Panthers this year but was waived during training camp.)

Despite the gloomy nature of the incident, Hensley's representatives seemed optimistic about Hensley's ability to bounce back, although there has been no timeline for his recovery released.

"For those of us that know Ty best, this attack was shocking and disturbing both in its severity as well as the fact that it could not have happened to a nicer, more good-natured young man," the original statement read. "While Ty always handles adversity remarkably well, he's taken it to a new level in meeting this challenge head on. His pain tolerance, attitude and determination to get back on the mound as soon as possible are literally off-the-charts."

"Ty is a strong young man and we're confident once his injuries heal up that he'll be back to himself," Diesselhorst told River Ave. Blues. "He does have severe injuries though."

Hensley, 21, was a first-round pick (30th overall) by the Yankees out of an Oklahoma high school in 2012. The right-hander missed all of 2013 after undergoing hip surgery and posted a 2.93 ERA in 11 appearances (30 2/3 innings) between the Gulf Coast League and Class A Short Season Staten Island in 2014.