HOUSTON -- A 14-pitch showdown between Angels first baseman Jose Fernandez and Astros pitcher Justin Verlander ended with a plunking, an injury delay, and, ultimately, Fernandez's exit from Saturday's 10-5 loss at Minute Maid Park. X-rays revealed no fracture and he was diagnosed with a right hand contusion.
On Sunday, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Fernandez was "a little bit sore" and that he'll be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
"We'll see how it feels tomorrow after treatment," Scioscia said.
In his first at-bat in the opening frame, Fernandez fouled off 10 pitches before Verlander hit him on his right hand with a 96-mph four-seamer. That ended Fernandez's extended at-bat, as well as his night. Jefry Marte ran for Fernandez and stayed in the game to play first base.
"When we got out there, you can never tell," Scioscia said. "Obviously, it had to be evaluated. It was hurting enough to where he wasn't going to be able to continue. But I think we got the best news possible that it was a contusion and we'll just go day to day with it."
Fernandez, called up for a fourth time this year by the Angels on Sept. 1, is hitting .269 with two homers and 10 RBIs. He had hits in 10 of his past 13 games and 22 of his 31 big league games this year.