MIAMI -- A relieved Derek Dietrich returned to Miami on Monday, cleared of any concussion-like symptoms or head fractures a day after a fluky incident in Atlanta. The Marlins' second baseman took full batting practice with the team at Marlins Park, and he was available to pinch-hit or enter Monday's series opener with the Pirates.
While sitting in the dugout in the ninth inning of Sunday's 7-3 win over the Braves at Turner Field, a foul ball off the bat of Christian Yelich deflected off the back wall and clipped Dietrich in the back of his head. The second baseman spent the night in Atlanta.
"I'm feeling a lot better; a little sore, but that's to be expected," Dietrich said. "I'm just glad it's nothing serious. I'm feeling good today."

The Marlins had some fun with Dietrich in warmups. During stretches, Dietrich was handed a hard hat, complete with his No. 32 stickers on it.

"It was a good text this morning, reading that report everything was cleared overnight," manager Don Mattingly said. "Again, it was a scary situation that happened so fast. You feel like you dodged a bullet with that. We had him down today anyway."

The Pirates started lefty Jeff Locke on Monday, and Mattingly was already planning on going with right-handed-hitting Miguel Rojas at second base. But Mattingly was happy to have the left-handed-hitting Dietrich available off the bench.
Feeling fine, Dietrich played along in batting practice, sporting the hard hat in the field. Sunday certainly was eventful for him.
Dietrich provided a big boost, connecting on a home run and delivering a career-high four RBIs on the day. After the game, he was treated by the Braves' medical staff and sent to a local hospital. Later in the evening, he was discharged and spent the night in the team hotel.

"I was cleared of any type of concussion," Dietrich said. "I passed all the tests last night. That was the big thing they were looking for, obviously, and if it had broken the skin or [if there was] any kind of fracture.
"All the tests were good. X-rays were negative. CT scan was clear. So everything was good."
Dietrich has a knack for getting struck by the ball. In 44 games this season, he's been hit by a pitch eight times. He's also been clipped 38 times in 854 Major League plate appearances.
"I've been hit by a lot of balls in my career," Dietrich said. "Soreness is one thing."