MIAMI (AP) -Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau is scheduled to undergo another round of X-rays and blood tests as a precaution Sunday before being released from the hospital following treatment for a bruised right lung.
A team spokesman said Morneau is expected to fly home with the team after its weekend series against Florida. He was hurt Friday in a collision with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo.
The Twins, who said Morneau might rejoin the lineup next week, were relieved the injury wasn’t more serious. The collision left him dazed on the ground, and when he reached the dugout he coughed up blood and struggled to breathe.
He left the stadium on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. A CT scan was normal, and X-rays were negative.
“When you see Morneau down on the field, obviously he doesn’t stay down very often,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s a big, strong hockey guy. So when he was hurting like that and couldn’t catch his breath, we were a little concerned.”
Olivo was unhurt.
Morneau, the 2006 American League MVP, is second in the AL with 20 home runs. His consecutive-games streak, the fourth-longest among active players, ended Saturday night against Florida.
“It wasn’t the easiest lineup I’ve tried to figure out, without his name batting fourth or fifth,” Gardenhire said. “It’s going to be different obviously for a few days.”
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada led active players with 1,152 consecutive games until he was placed on the disabled list Friday with a wrist injury.
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