masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold was hit on the left side of his face by a pitch from Rays starter Alex Cobb in the top of the first inning.

Reimold grabbed his head and fell to the ground. He laid on his stomach as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Buck Showalter rushed on the field.

Reimold stayed down for several minutes before finally sitting up. He stood up under his own power and didn’t appear to be bleeding, and he rode on the back of a cart to…PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold was hit on the left side of his face by a pitch from Rays starter Alex Cobb in the top of the first inning.

Reimold grabbed his head and fell to the ground. He laid on his stomach as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Buck Showalter rushed on the field.

Reimold stayed down for several minutes before finally sitting up. He stood up under his own power and didn’t appear to be bleeding, and he rode on the back of a cart to the clubhouse as fans applauded.

Scott Beerer pinch ran for Reimold and will play right field, with Endy Chavez moving to left.

Robert Andino doubled with one out and Nick Johnson walked. Chris Davis flied out before Reimold stepped to the plate.

Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty left the bases loaded by grounding out, but the Orioles had bigger concerns.

Cobb was clearly rattled after hitting Reimold, throwing his hands up in the air and walking toward the plate.

I thought the ball hit Reimold in the helmet because of the sound, which reached the press box, but it appeared to nail him on the left side of his face. We’ll know more later.

Game update: Jake Arrieta tossed two scoreless, hitless innings today, walking one batter and striking out one. The Rays didn’t get a ball out of the infield.

Arrieta’s fastball topped out at 97 mph multiple times.

Arrieta threw 24 pitches, 17 for strikes. That’s official. He threw 11 in the second inning, seven for strikes.

Reimold update: Reimold was taken to Peace River Hospital. He’s conscious and alert. The ball definitely hit him on the left side of the face. We’ll know more after the game.