Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez is hit on the head by a thrown ball
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez stands on the mound after giving up a grand slam to San Francisco Giants’ Hunter Pence in the eighth inning on April 7.
An accident on Wednesday could alter the composition of the Dodgers bullpen. Pedro Baez was not available in a 5-3 victory over the Braves because fellow reliever Adam Liberatore hit him in the head with a baseball while warming up midway through the game.
Baez was scheduled to undergo tests, Manager Dave Roberts said. Roberts was unsure about the severity of the injury.
“It hit him square in the back of the head,” Roberts said. “It wasn’t a full 90-mph-plus fastball. But it was still Lib getting loose. Airmailed one and hit him in the back of the head.”
Baez has experienced some bumps thus far in 2016, but the Dodgers still view him as a vital asset. He has a 3.38 earned-run average with 11.8 strikeouts per nine.
Baez was not available to speak with reporters after the game. The team expected to provide more information on Thursday morning.
Carl Crawford doesn’t get to Oklahoma City in time
Carl Crawford, the team’s other outfielder with lower-back problems, experienced “travel issues” and did not report to triple-A Oklahoma City in time for Wednesday’s game, Roberts said. Crawford was scheduled to fly from Atlanta to the affiliate in the morning to start a rehabilitation assignment.
Crawford is eligible to leave the disabled list on Sunday. Roberts said the travel snafu could delay his return to the majors.
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