Texas Rangers

Triple-A coach, ex-star Howard Johnson hit in face by liner

Published Mar. 24, 2018 5:25 p.m. ET

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Texas Rangers minor league coach and former big league slugger Howard Johnson has been struck in the face by a line drive and taken from the dugout on a stretcher.

Johnson was transported to a hospital Saturday. There was no report on his condition.

Johnson was hit during a spring training game between Texas and Cleveland. The ball was hit by Erik Gonzalez of the Indians, and play was stopped for about 10 minutes while medical personnel treated Johnson.

This was the last exhibition game for the Rangers this year in Arizona.

The 57-year-old Johnson is the hitting coach at Triple-A Round Rock. He played 14 seasons in the majors and hit 228 home runs.