Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton told reporters Thursday that he’s feeling better after being struck on the helmet a day earlier by a Jose Fernandez fastball.
X-rays were negative and there was no sign of a concussion. Stanton said his vision returned to normal after a few hours, and he hopes to play in the Marlins’ first spring training game Saturday.
Fernandez, 20, felt terrible about the pitch and took some verbal abuse from teammates for the incident. Stanton told reporters that it will help Fernandez feel like a part of the team.
“Everyone is giving him a hard time,” Stanton said, “but I don’t think it’s going to hurt his confidence. He’ll be fine.”