Major League Baseball

Guerrero taken to hospital after hit above eye

Published Jun. 3, 2010 2:14 a.m. ET

foxsports

Texas Rangers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero was taken to the hospital after he was hit in the face with a ball during batting practice.

Guerrero was scratched from the lineup after a ball he hit ricocheted off the top of the cage and struck him above the left eye, resulting in heavy swelling. He is day-to-day after X-rays taken at a hospital showed no structural damage, and the eight-time All-Star insisted through an interpreter after the Rangers' 9-5 win over Chicago that he could have pinch-hit if needed, no matter how bad he looked.

He said his vision is fine.

With Guerrero out, left fielder Josh Hamilton moved into the cleanup spot, Michael Young went from third base to DH and Andres Blanco started at third and batting eighth.

An eight-time All-Star and 2004 AL MVP, Guerrero joined the Rangers after spending six seasons with Anaheim. Texas was a percentage point ahead of Oakland in the AL West heading into Wednesday's game.

He's batting .335 with 12 homers and is second in the majors with 44 RBIs.