ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Yankees special assistant to the general manager Stump Merrill was taken to a hospital after being hit just above the lip by a thrown ball during batting practice before Wednesday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Merrill, a Brunswick native and former University of Maine baseball star, was collecting balls near a screen behind second base when he was struck by a ball thrown from the outfield. He was taken off the field on a stretcher.

The Yankees said Merrill was conscious and alert. He underwent tests on his mouth, which the team said were negative.