A Missouri lawsuit against the Kansas City Royals claims a man required three surgeries after being hit by a hot dog thrown by the team's mascot.

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Bob Tormohlen, a lawyer for John Coomer, said in opening arguments of the Jackson County Circuit Court case this week his client suffered a detached retina and required three surgeries to correct the damage after a foil-wrapped hot dog thrown by mascot Sluggerrr, portrayed at the time by Byron Shores, struck him in the face at a Sept. 8, 2009, game, The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported Wednesday.

The Royals claim Coomer's version of events is flawed and he should have been more aware of his personal safety while at the ballpark.

Shores, who said he was fired in October 2009 for unknown reasons, testified he does not remember the throw and did not know about the man's injury until after his tenure as Sluggerrr ended.

The trial is ongoing.