ANAHEIM -- Orioles outfielder Joey Rickard exited Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Angels in the top of the sixth inning after being hit with a pitch in the helmet, but he is expected to be OK.
With the Angels ahead 2-1, Rickard dug in against starter Troy Scribner to start the inning. He was struck by an 88-mph fastball on the side of his helmet and immediately dropped his bat in pain. Rickard exited after he was examined for several moments by head athletic trainer Richie Bancells, and was awake and alert despite the scary moment.
"I think we've done a lot better with those things and not taking any chances," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of taking Rickard out right away. "We think he's OK. There'll be an evaluation tomorrow, kind of have an idea of what you're dealing with, but all indications are good right now."
Rickard will be further evaluated on Thursday when the team is in Oakland and Showalter said reliever Donnie Hart -- who was optioned prior to Wednesday's game -- isn't flying out until Thursday and could be re-added if there's anything serious with Rickard.
The hope is that Rickard was just a little shaken.
"When you first get up there, and he's got his back to you, you don't know if there's some cut. I know he's got an abrasion above his eye. [I think] it's from his helmet," Showalter said. "You guys have seen it more than I have. I think it hit the bill [of the helmet] more than anything, but still there's a lot of precautions you have to take there."
Rickard was replaced by Craig Gentry, who was later thrown out at home plate to end the inning. 

"I don't ever want to try to go up and in and hit a guy in the head," said Scribner. "That's not my plan, but I do throw up a lot to hitters and I work in that area of the strike zone. It was scary to watch it and I hope he's OK."