Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth left Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after being hit by a pitch, reports Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.
Nate McLouth injury: Orioles OF leaves game after taking pitch off knee
McLouth took a Kyle Drabek fastball of his right knee in the ninth inning.
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
McLouth led off the top of the ninth inning when Kyle Drabek hit him with a 94-mph fastball on the outside of his right knee. Buck Showalter immediately lifted McLouth in favor of Chris Dickerson after McLouth "walked gingerly" down the first base line, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
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The outfielder has been a solid contributor for Baltimore this season, entering Sunday batting .266/.336/.407. McLouth has also provided value with his defense and baserunning, as FanGraphs credits him with 2.4 WAR.
McLouth has been the team's primary leadoff man and left fielder. Michael Morse and Dickerson will likely split time in left if McLouth is sidelined for a few games, with Nick Markakis or Brian Roberts switching to the leadoff spot.
The Orioles defeated the Blue Jays, 3-1, helping the team keep pace in a tight AL Wild Card race.
Update: X-Rays taken on McLouth’s knee after the game came back negative, the outfielder told Encina. He also said that he should be fine for Tuesday’s opener against the Boston Red Sox.
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