CLEVELAND -- Indians No. 1 prospect Bradley Zimmer is expected to be fine, following a hit-by-pitch scare that forced him to exit Wednesday's game with Triple-A Columbus.
Zimmer, who is also MLBPipeline.com's 30th-ranked prospect, was attempting to bunt in the fifth inning of Columbus' game against Toledo. The outfielder was hit on the fingertips by a pitch from Matt Crouse and immediately replaced by Clippers outfielder Collin Cowgill.
"It looks like it's going to be OK," Clippers manager Chris Tremie told reporters Wednesday night. "Obviously, squaring around to bunt, it's an impact on the fingers and doesn't look like anything seriously wrong with it."
Carter Hawkins, the Indians director of player development, said Thursday that the organization is optimistic Zimmer only sustained a contusion of his left middle finger. The outfield prospect will continue to be evaluated in the coming days.
Zimmer, 23, went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run for the Clippers before exiting the game. Through 15 games this season at Triple-A, the center fielder has hit at a .309 (17-for-55) clip. Over 108 games between Double-A Akron and Columbus this year, Zimmer has hit .261 with 15 homers, 22 doubles, six triples, 57 RBIs, 69 runs and 36 stolen bases.
The Indians selected Zimmer in the first round (21st overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft.