Valentin avoids eye damage after being hit by ball

DENVER -- Dodgers assistant hitting coach John Valentin was struck on the left eye by a batted ball in the indoor batting cage at Coors Field on Saturday, but never lost consciousness and the club said he suffered no fractures or eye damage.

Valentin was taken by paramedics to a local hospital where he was checked out, and he then returned to the team hotel and will fly with the team to Cincinnati for Monday's series opener.

Andre Ethier hit the ball. The incident occurred in the indoor cages as the Dodgers were not taking batting practice on the field for the Saturday day game after playing a night game Friday.