Rays minor league pitcher Downs hospitalized after getting struck by line drive

Minor leaguer hospitalized after struck by liner

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Minor league pitcher Darin Downs is in a hospital after getting struck in the head by a line drive.

The left-hander remained in serious but stable condition Tuesday, according to the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-hander was making his second start for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits on Monday at Birmingham when he was struck by a line drive by Christian Marrero.

The ball deflected into the Barons dugout for a ground-rule double.

The 24-year-old Downs was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent’s Hospital. He was a fifth-round draft pick out of high school by the Chicago Cubs in 2003 and spent five years with the organization.

The Biscuits placed him on the disabled list.