Major League Baseball

Tigers pitcher Alburquerque hit by liner in BP

Published Aug. 13, 2011 4:22 a.m. ET

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Detroit Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list Friday night after being struck in the head by a line drive during batting practice.

The accident happened before the Tigers faced the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Alburquerque was walking in left field while the Orioles were in the cage. Robert Andino hit a ball that struck the pitcher, who immediately dropped to the grass, kicking his legs in pain.

Activity on the field promptly ceased as players from both teams surrounded Alburquerque.

After being attended to by trainers from both teams, Alburquerque was carted off the field. After being treated in the Orioles' clubhouse, he was taken to a hospital.

He was to remain hospitalized overnight for observation, a Tigers spokesman said.

''It was big-time scary,'' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. ''He was in agony. He was hit in the temple and there is some internal bleeding, but the doctors think he'll be OK. He won't be available for a while.''

To replace Alburquerque on the roster, the Tigers recalled right-hander Ryan Perry from Triple-A Toledo.

Alburquerque has been a key contributor for first-place Detroit. He is 5-0 with a 1.16 ERA in his last 22 appearances.