Yankees pitcher Mitchell hit by liner, has nasal fracture

NEW YORK (AP) Yankees rookie pitcher Bryan Mitchell sustained a nasal fracture when he was hit in the head by a line drive Monday night, forcing him off the field with a towel over his bloody face.

The injury occurred in the second inning and Mitchell was taken to a hospital. In the sixth, the Yankees said he had been released from the hospital and would be monitored for the possibility of concussion symptoms.

Mitchell was struck by a liner off the bat of Eduardo Nunez of the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.

The 24-year-old pitcher was knocked down, and the ball caromed into center field for an RBI single. The Yankees and their medical staff quickly rushed to the mound.

Mitchell was on his knees for over a minute, then two trainers flanked him as he walked off. Mitchell needed help getting down the dugout steps because the towel was covering his face.

Nunez, players on the both teams and the crowd applauded as Mitchell exited his third major league start.

Rookie Caleb Cotham came in to relieve Mitchell.