LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 16 (UPI) -- A minor league manager in the Atlanta Braves organization has lost an eye after being hit in the face with a batted ball during a spring training game.
Luis Salazar, who manages the Braves' Class A Advanced team in Lynchburg, Va., was on the top step of the dugout when he was struck in the face with a foul ball hit by Braves catcher Brian McCann during a game March 9.
Salazar was unconscious after being hit but was showing signs of consciousness as he was taken from the stadium by helicopter to a hospital in Orlando, Fla.
Atlanta General Manager Frank Wren said Wednesday that physicians were unable to save the eye and Salazar underwent surgery Tuesday to have it removed.
Salazar, 54, may return to the team in 4-6 weeks. He is in his first season in the Atlanta organization.
As a major league player from 1980-92, Salazar played for San Diego, the Chicago White Sox, Detroit and Chicago Cubs. He was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2010.
