Red Sox' Saltalamacchia Leaves With Cut On Left Ear
BOSTON (CBS) – Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia left in the bottom of the fifth inning of the team's 6-4 loss to the Phillies Friday night after being hit on the side of the head with a ball.
Saltalamacchia was behind the plate when Daniel Bard's pitch hit batter Ty Wigginton on the wrist and then struck the Sox backstop on the left side of his head. He tumbled to the ground, where he remained for several minutes before being getting up under his own power and leaving the field.
Kelly Shoppach replaced him at catcher for the rest of the game.
Manager Bobby Valentine said Saltamacchia went to a Philadelphia hospital for further examination, including concussion tests. Valentine was not sure if Saltalamacchia would require a stitch or two for a cut on his left ear.
In 30 games behind the plate this season, Saltalmacchia is hitting .263 with five home runs and 15 RBI for Boston.
