Tampa Bay Rays' Hellickson hit in head

DETROIT, April 11 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson was taken to a Detroit hospital Wednesday after he was struck in the head with a batted ball before a game.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Hellickson, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, never lost consciousness and was not bleeding when he left the field at Comerica Park on a cart. He was taken to a hospital for observation as a precaution.

The accident occurred as the Tigers took batting practice. Hellickson was in the Rays' bullpen and was hit on the left side of his face above the eyebrow.

"The ball actually hit the brim of his cap [first]," Rays' pitching coach Jim Hickey told MLB.com.

Hellickson (1-0, 000 ERA) threw 8 2/3 scoreless innings against the New York Yankees Sunday, allowing three hits in his first start of the season, and was not in the rotation for the three-game series in Detroit.

His next start is Saturday against the Red Sox in Boston.

He went 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA last season.