Last Updated on May 28, 2007 2:51 pm by admin
CINCINNATI (AP) -Reds center fielder Ryan Freel was diagnosed with contusions to his head and neck after colliding with right fielder Norris Hopper on Monday in Cincinnati’s 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Freel, known for his all-out play, was down for 13 minutes while being examined and was taken off the field on a stretcher. Scans of his head and neck taken at Good Samaritan Hospital were normal, according to the team.
The frightening scene took place in the third inning. Freel and Hopper chased a ball hit by Humberto Cota leading off the inning. Freel caught the ball on the warning track and his left arm was run into by Hopper. Freel was twirled around to his left and fell at the base of the wall.
After being examined by Reds trainers and physicians, Freel was turned over on his back, strapped to a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. He is scheduled to be evaluated again on Tuesday, the Reds said.
Hopper remained in the game.
Freel, hitting .253 entering the game, was replaced by Ken Griffey Jr.