Vladimir Guerrero taken to hospital after ball hits him in face

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Texas Rangers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero was taken to the hospital after a ball he hit in batting practice ricocheted off the cage and struck him above the left eye.

The Rangers say he had ‘significant swelling’ and was having precautionary X-rays Wednesday night at a Chicago hospital.

He was scratched from hitting cleanup against the White Sox, with left fielder Josh Hamilton moving into that spot, Michael Young going from third base to DH and Andres Blanco starting at third and batting eighth.

An eight-time All-Star and 2004 AL MVP, Guerrero joined the Rangers after spending six seasons with the Angels. Texas was a percentage point ahead of Oakland in the AL West heading into Wednesday’s game.

He’s batting .335 with 12 homers and is second in the majors with 44 RBIs.

-- Associated Press