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Dickey fine after being hit in head during BP

Longoria's drive to left field interrupts knuckleballer's throwing session

ST. PETERSBURG -- Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey said he was "fine" after being hit in the side of the head by a line drive off the bat of Rays third baseman Evan Longoria during batting practice prior to Wednesday night's game at Tropicana Field.

A little before 5 p.m. ET, the knuckleballer was starting to throw with catcher Josh Thole out in left field while the Rays took batting practice. Longoria was in the cage and hooked a line drive into left, and Dickey, who was in fair territory and facing away from home plate, couldn't react in time to get out the way. The ball struck him on a fly, directly in the head.

Dickey, who looked to be stunned by the impact, quickly sat down on the turf. Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield, who was on the field at the time, ran out to check on Dickey. After Porterfield made sure Dickey was all right, the pitcher resumed his throwing session while Porterfield stood nearby.

Dickey eventually returned to the Toronto clubhouse, declining to be interviewed other than to confirm he was OK.

Dickey beat the Rays for his 11th win in Tuesday's series opener, going seven innings, while allowing two runs on two hits and striking out six as the Blue Jays won, 8-2. The veteran right-hander is 11-12 on the season with a 3.94 ERA in 29 starts.

David Adler is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Evan Longoria, R.A. Dickey