Braves Minor League manager Luis Salazar was reportedly struck in the face Wednesday afternoon by a line drive that Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann pulled into the Braves' dugout. Salazar, who appeared to be unconscious, had to be airlifted from just outside Champion Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla.
According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Salazar was struck while sitting along the rail of the dugout during the first inning of Wednesday's spring training matchup between the Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. After being struck, Salazar reportedly looked "stiff-legged" as he fell to the dugout floor again striking his head.
Salazar is a veteran of 13 MLB seasons (1980-1992), where he played for the Tigers, Padres, White Sox and Cubs and was to begin managing the Braves' Class A affiliate in Lynchburg, Va. this season.
There was almost a 20-minute delay before McCann, who according to Bowman, "appeared distraught" finished his at bat with a "half-hearted swing and miss." McCann left the game immediately after and was replaced by Wilkin Castro behind the plate.
Salazar is currently at Orlando Regional Hospital; there's been no immediate word as to the condition or extent of his injury.
