Piscotty released from hospital with bruises, targets return

Less than 24 hours after being stretchered off the field at PNC Park following a gruesome outfield collision, Stephen Piscotty was released from hospital Tuesday with no major injuries, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said on MLB Network Radio.

"A couple bruises, but overall everything checked out very clean," Matheny said.

General manager John Mozeliak said the rookie passed all neurological exams. "I think the good news is he probably will play again in the regular season," he said.

Though Piscotty was rushed to hospital after colliding with Peter Bourjos in the bottom of the seventh inning, his head slamming into his teammate's knee, the 24-year-old somehow avoided a concussion and was diagnosed with just a head contusion. He was held overnight in the hospital for observation.

"We couldn't hear each other," Bourjos explained afterward. "The ball was just hit between us, and we both tried to make a play on it. The situation in the game, I think we both thought if the ball fell it might be the outcome of the game.

"You could just tell that Stephen wasn't right and that he needed some help."

Piscotty's quick release should be a giant relief for his teammates, many of whom were in obvious distress following Monday's 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. First baseman Mark Reynolds said the collision was "up there with the scariest things I've ever witnessed" while Matt Carpenter said he thought the rookie "was paralyzed."