Major League Baseball

Lugo leaves in game after hit in helmet

Published Aug. 30, 2010 1:11 a.m. ET

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Julio Lugo left the Baltimore Orioles' game against the Angels in the first inning Sunday after a pickoff attempt hit him in the batting helmet, briefly leaving him motionless on the ground.

The Orioles determined Lugo wasn't seriously injured after undergoing a CT scan during the Orioles' 1-0 victory. Lugo said he felt fine after the game, but manager Buck Showalter said the club will be cautious about his return to the lineup.

Lugo drew a leadoff walk from Los Angeles' Jered Weaver, who then attempted to pick him off first base. Fill-in first baseman Juan Rivera missed the throw, which hit Lugo in the back of the helmet, behind his ear, as he dived back to the bag.

''He hit him flush, and it's scary,'' Showalter said.

Although Lugo said he didn't lose consciousness, he stayed facedown in the dirt while trainers and Showalter rushed out to check on him. He eventually got up and walked to the dugout.

''I could have stayed in, and I wanted to,'' Lugo said. ''I was fine, just stung by the hit. I'm just going to wait, see how it feels tomorrow. Right now, I feel fine.''

Lugo said he had a concussion in 2007 after a collision with an opponent's knee at second base, but this hit wasn't similar.

Jake Fox replaced Lugo on the basepaths and then took over at first base in the bottom half of the inning, with Ty Wigginton moving to second base.

Showalter said Lugo will be re-evaluated Monday back in Baltimore. Second baseman Brian Roberts also is out of the Orioles' lineup with an injured hip.

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