Padres pitcher Randy Vasquez hospitalized after fainting

San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Vásquez fainted after being removed from a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, July 2, and was taken to a hospital for precautionary tests before being released the following morning. The incident occurred after Vásquez was struck in the right ankle by a line drive during the game.

The 27-year-old right-hander was hit by a 98.8 mph ground ball hit by the Dodgers' Mookie Betts in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. After being checked by a trainer, Vásquez remained in the game, completing three innings in which he allowed four earned runs and seven hits. The Padres ultimately lost the game 12-7.

Following his removal, Vásquez was walking with a team athletic trainer to get an X-ray on his ankle when he briefly lost consciousness. The trainer caught him before he fell. As a precaution, he was transported to a local emergency room for evaluation.

Padres manager Craig Stammen provided an update on Friday, July 3, stating that Vásquez was doing well and that all tests had come back clean. Stammen said the pitcher had been released from the hospital and was returning to the team hotel. The manager noted that X-rays on the ankle were...