House reaches out to Hicks after scary liner

LAKELAND, Fla. -- John Hicks never met T.J. House aside from being Minor League opponents last year. But after his line drive struck House on the back of his head in the ninth inning Friday night, Hicks couldn't help but think about him.
A message from House helped put Hicks at ease.
"He texted me and let me know that he was doing well," Hicks said Saturday morning. "He said, 'Don't let that affect your game. It's something that happens. Pitchers, we know the risk.'
"Obviously, it was not intentional or anything like that. I thought that was awesome of him to do that and made me feel a lot better about it. I texted him back and let him know that I was thinking about him, hoping he was doing well. But yeah, it was a scary experience for sure."
House tweeted Friday evening that tests had checked out fine. He remained hospitalized overnight as a precaution, according to the Blue Jays' twitter account.

Hicks said his heart dropped as he saw House get hit, hoping the lefty could somehow elude the comebacker.
"For me, seeing it come off the bat and going at him, it's kind of like going in slow motion," Hicks said. "Obviously I'm hoping that he gets out of the way and it doesn't hit him. But yeah, it was quick. He didn't have much time to react.
"I got the text, and that was awesome of him to do. He definitely didn't have to do that. It speaks to the kind of person he is."
Hicks returned to action Saturday, starting at designated hitter against the Yankees.
Quick hits
• Nick Castellanos (quadriceps tightness) and José Iglesias (bruised neck) remained out of the Tigers' lineup on Saturday, though neither was scheduled to make the trip to Tampa to face the Yankees in the first place. Both could return Sunday against the Mets, a game that will be broadcast on MLB.TV and Fox Sports Detroit.