Ryan OK after taking liner to left hand

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees had a batting-practice scare on Tuesday afternoon when shortstop Brendan Ryan was clipped in the left hand by a line drive during an infield workout.

Ryan was rushing in to field a slow roller, making the throw to first base. A batter in the cage smacked a liner toward left field that shot toward Ryan, who had his glove knocked off by the ball.

Ryan appeared to be in pain, shaking his hand often as shortstop Derek Jeter and manager Joe Girardi came over to check on him. Ryan said that he was fortunate that the ball caught him in the meaty part of his palm.

"It'll just be a bruise. Pretty scary," Ryan said. "I was lucky. It could have been a much worse spot."