Shelby Is Hit in Eye by Foul Ball, Goes on Disabled List for 15 Days

Dodger center fielder John Shelby was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after being hit in the right eye by a foul ball ricocheting off the plate during the fourth inning of the Dodgers’ 8-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Shelby, scheduled to return to Los Angeles from Pittsburgh today for another examination, has been told by local doctors not to play for at least 3 to 5 days. Shelby suffered a scratch of the right eyeball, and he said his vision was slightly impaired. He will wear an eye patch for at least one day.

In Shelby’s absence, outfielder Jose Gonzalez, demoted to triple-A Albuquerque, N.M., after Monday night’s game, has been recalled.

“It hurt so bad I didn’t know which eye it was that got hit,” Shelby said. “So I grabbed both. It was a little blurry to see out of. But there was no bleeding, so I guess that’s a good sign. I don’t know about eyes. I just use them.”

Pedro Guerrero, out 46 days with a sore neck, will begin an injury rehabilitation stay in Albuquerque Sunday. Guerrero, on the disabled list since June 5, is expected to play in “several” games before rejoining the Dodgers, Executive Vice President Fred Claire said.