Youkilis to See Eye Specialist After Being Hit

Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis has been sent to an eye specialist after getting hit in the face by a one-hop throw in practice, and he did not start last night's game against Arizona.

The 2007 American League Gold Glove winner was struck under the right eye Monday night by Mike Lowell's throw during infield warmups. Youkilis's eye immediately swelled and turned purple.

His eye was still watering and swollen when he arrived at Fenway Park yesterday afternoon, so he was sent for further medical evaluation. He entered the game on defense in the ninth inning last night.

"He showed up, looked like he got beat up," Boston Manager Terry Francona said. "He's still got some watering because of the swelling so we sent him down to the eye specialist."

· MARINERS: Félix Hernández hobbled around the Seattle clubhouse with a walking boot protecting his injured left ankle, and Manager Jim Riggleman said the ace right-hander still hopes to make his next start.

Hernández, who hit a grand slam in the game, sprained his ankle covering home plate on a wild pitch in the fifth inning of the Mariners' 5-2 win over the Mets on Monday night. Hernández, who was one out short of being eligible for a win, tried to stay in but left after a painful warmup pitch.

"Felix is okay," Riggleman said. "He thinks he'll pitch Sunday and that's his scheduled day, but I don't know that he will. Certainly I'm going to be a little more conservative than that. If we get him back a couple days after Sunday, I'd be really happy."

· RANGERS: Hank Blalock's return to the major leagues and his first base debut for Texas have been delayed.

Blalock, a two-time all-star third baseman who is changing positions, had been scheduled to be activated from the disabled list in time for last night's game at Houston. But Blalock bruised his right hand diving for a ball in a game Sunday night while on a rehab assignment with Class AAA Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, an MRI exam done on C Gerald Laird confirmed a pulled right hamstring muscle. Laird, who is expected to be out four to six weeks, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

-- From News Services