CINCINNATI -- Billy Hamilton's season may have come to a crashing halt Wednesday night.
Hamilton did not play in Thursday's 5-3 win by the Reds over Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park because of a concussion suffered Wednesday night. With just three games left in the regular season and the Reds out of the playoff picture, there isn't any reason to push for Hamilton's return if he's not healthy.
"He wasn't feeling great today," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "I think they want him to feel better before they do all of the concussion testing. They've done certain things but he's going to have to pass some tests before he's cleared."
A month ago Hamilton was the favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year award but he has struggled offensively down the stretch and that could cause him to lose out to New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom.
If Hamilton's season is complete, he'll finish with a batting average of .250, an on-base percentage of .292 and slugging percentage of .355. He's played in 152 games, the most by a Reds rookie since Johnny Bench played in 154 in 1968. He leads all NL center fielders with 10 assists and has set a franchise rookie record with 56 stolen bases despite being caught stealing 23 times.
Hamilton hit his head Wednesday night on a railing topping the fence in front of the Reds' bullpen in center field while tracking down and catching a would-be home run off the bat of Ryan Braun. The railing is padded but Hamilton was running full speed when he jumped to make the catch. He stayed in the game for 1½ more innings, including taking an at-bat, before being replaced by Chris Heisey.
Hamilton would have to pass MLB's concussion protocol testing and the Reds would have to submit a "Return to Play" form to the MLB medical director before he would be allowed back in a game.
Hamilton told reporters prior to Thursday's game that he was feeling the same as he did the night before. Price said on Wednesday that he had already planned on giving Hamilton the day off on Thursday before the injury. Now, it will be iffy if plays in the final three-game series of the season against Pittsburgh.
"It'll be one of those things that's day-to-day unless I hear otherwise," said Price. "We are obviously going to want him to play at 100 percent in regards to any type of concussion symptoms. It's not one of those situations of 'Well, he's playable.' We've got a huge group here and we're out of the race. To have that kid go out there and not feeling real good wouldn't be a good idea on our part."
Yorman Rodriguez started in place of Hamilton Thursday. Rodriguez, 22, spent the season at Double-A Pensacola before being called up to the major leagues for this final month. Thursday was his eighth appearance since the call up and he went 2-for-4 with two singles and a RBI that broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth inning.
Rodriguez went the opposite way to right field against Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo to drive home Jay Bruce with the go-ahead run. He had a bunt single in the fourth inning and, on a possible double play ground ball by Zack Cozart, he showed good instincts by advancing to third base on an errant throw by second baseman Rickie Weeks that eluded shortstop Jean Segura.
He has played all three outfield positions during this stint with the Reds.
"Every opportunity he wants to show the best he can," said pitcher Daniel Corcino, who acted as translator for Rodriguez with the media. "He's grown now and I think he's going to try to play Winter ball this year and try to play more over there in other positions so every time he's got an opportunity he'll show good."
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