Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson still in hospital after liner to head

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson will remain in a hospital for at least a second night after being hit in the head by a line drive.

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said Nelson would stay Friday night for observation. Counsell said there are no indications at this point that Nelson sustained a concussion.

"It's precautionary. They just want to make sure everything is 100 percent before he walks out the door," Counsell said.

Nelson was struck in the back of the head Thursday night by a liner hit by Tommy Pham of the St. Louis Cardinals. Nelson was face down on the mound for about a minute before walking off the field.

A CT scan showed a contusion.

"I think we're fortunate here. From what we saw, it's a good result. We're lucky and thankful that's all it is," Counsell said before the Brewers played Cincinnati.

Counsell spoke with Nelson on Friday and said the pitcher is "raring to go."

Nelson wants to make his next start on Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs, Counsell said.

"I think we need to wait about 48 hours. We need to give him a little bit more time," he said.

Nonetheless, Counsell is confident that Nelson will pitch again this season and doesn't expect the accident to affect the right-hander's confidence.

"I'm not worried about the mental part of it at all," Counsell said.