MIAMI — San Diego Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson made a quick recovery Thursday from a collision with a wall that knocked him unconscious.
Hudson left the field strapped to a stretcher on a cart with his neck in a brace. But shortly after a 5-3 win over Florida, he was walking through the clubhouse texting on his phone.
Hudson went to a hospital for precautionary tests. He was expected to be fine and was likely to rejoin the Padres in Philadelphia on Friday, a team spokesman said.
After Hudson leaned forward to make a running catch of a popup in foul territory, his momentum took him into the padded wall. He turned away from the wall just before hitting it, so the back of his head and right shoulder took the brunt of the impact.
Hudson fell onto his back with the ball in his glove. Umpire Tim Timmons signalled the batter out, then began waving for help.
Hudson didn’t move as teammates and the Padres trainer rushed to his aid.
The game was delayed for nearly 10 minutes.
while Hudson received treatment on the field and regained consciousness. Eventually he moved his arms, spoke and shook at least one teammate’s hand before being driven to the clubhouse.
The catch ended a Florida threat in the seventh with the Padres nursing a two-run lead.
“An outstanding play considering the circumstance,” Black said.