Clement Released From the Hospital

Boston pitcher Matt Clement was released from a hospital Wednesday, less than 24 hours after being hit in the side of the head by a line drive that knocked him off his feet.

“The results of a second CT scan taken this morning were also negative, and Matt was released from the hospital this afternoon,” Red Sox medical director Thomas Gill said in a statement released before the club played Tampa Bay in the finale of a three-game series at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Gill said the 30-year-old right-hander would accompany the team back to Boston after the game and be evaluated by the Red Sox medical staff.

Clement was carted from the field after Carl Crawford’s line drive struck him in the right side of the head, just behind the ear, in the third inning Tuesday night. He never lost consciousness and did not sustain a concussion, Manager Terry Francona said.

Francona visited Clement at the hospital after the Red Sox beat the Devil Rays, 10-9, in 10 innings and said the pitcher was in good spirits and talking on the telephone when he entered the room.

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Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle in his left side, and the team recalled left-handed pitcher Lenny DiNardo from triple-A Pawtucket. Nixon strained the muscle while swinging at a pitch in the third inning Tuesday night.

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The New York Yankees claimed right-hander Hideo Nomo off waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and signed him to a minor league contract. Nomo, 37, was released by Tampa Bay on July 25. He was 5-8 with a 7.24 earned-run average.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks designated center fielder Jose Cruz Jr. for assignment and purchased the contract of top prospect Conor Jackson from triple-A Tucson.

Manager Bob Melvin said Jackson would share time with Tony Clark at first base, with Chad Tracy moving from first to right field. Shawn Green will go from right to center.

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Baltimore put outfielder Eli Marrero, who has a strained right thumb, on the 15-day disabled list and recalled utility player David Newhan from triple-A Ottawa.... Houston starter Brandon Backe was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle near his rib cage.... San Diego catcher Ramon Hernandez will have surgery on his injured left wrist and is expected to be out at least three weeks.