Jose Cardenal, a minor-league instructor for the...

Jose Cardenal, a minor-league instructor for the Cincinnati Reds, was hospitalized after suffering a fractured skull when he was hit by a baseball during batting practice at Plant city, Fla. Cardenal, an 18-year major league veteran, was kneeling in a batting cage at the Reds’ spring training complex when he was struck in the base of the skull.

Cardenal, 46, was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent surgery on a blood clot under his skull, team spokesman Jim Ferguson said. Cardenal was in intensive care after the surgery.