Twins 1B Morneau leaves game after collision

Jun 23, 2007 - 3:47 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau left Friday's game against the Florida Marlins with a chest injury after a collision at the plate in the eighth inning.

Morneau, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, collided with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo after scoring on a double by Jason Kubel.

The 26-year-old Morneau, who was complaining of chest pain and coughing up blood, was taken on a stretcher to Memorial Hospital West for X-rays and a chest scan.

While leaving the stadium, he was accompanied by his wife while being hooked up to oxygen and receiving intravenous fluids.

After the game, Morneau was taken out of the clubhouse on a stretcher. According to Twins' officials, Morneau had been coughing up blood in the trainer's room and complaining of chest pains.

The Twins had no further word on his condition other than to report that X-rays and a chest scan were planned once he arrived at Memorial Hospital West in nearby Pembroke Pines.

Kubel had no idea Morneau was injured.

"I was congratulating (Morneau). I wasn't too sure exactly what happened. I thought it knocked the wind out of him, but he stayed down and I thought, 'Oh, something really did happen.' He's a big part of this team and we can't afford to lose him."

Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said it initially didn't appear to be serious.

"It wasn't a violent collision but obviously it hit just right in a bad spot, in an unprotected place," Gardenhire said. "The ball was at home plate. The catcher was reaching for the ball. They were all getting there about the same time. (The ball) went through (Olivo's) legs and (Morneau) had nowhere to go, so he had to try and go through him (Olivo)."