THE SIDELINES : Hospital Releases Pirates’ Redus

Pirates first baseman Gary Redus was released from a Pittsburgh hospital this morning after being struck in the face by a fastball thrown by Dodgers reliever Tim Crews.

Redus crumpled to the ground after being struck just below the left eye by a Crews pitch clocked at 90 m.p.h. in the seventh inning of the Pirates’ 7-4 victory Monday night. (Earlier story in Sports, Part III.)

He was carried off the field on a stretcher and was taken to Allegheny General Hospital for X-rays after his left eye nearly swelled shut. After being examined by team physician Dr. Jack Failla, Redus was released, according to hospital spokeswoman Mary Barnyak.

Redus apparently did not suffer any broken bones, but his status was uncertain for the Pirates’ seven-game road trip that begins tonight in New York, Failla said.

Redus, batting .280 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 65 games, was 1-for-2 with an RBI single Monday.