Rays pitcher Alex Cobb hit in head by line drive, carried off field in stretcher

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb was struck on the right side of his head by a line drive during Saturday's game at Tropicana Field. (J. Meric/Getty Images) Tampa Bay

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb was struck on the right side of his head by a line drive during Saturday's game at Tropicana Field. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of the Royals' Eric Hosmer during Saturday's game at Tropicana Field. Cobb lay nearly motionless before being carried off the field in a stretcher.

According to reports, players gathered around the mound and Rays designated hitter Luke Scott led prayers before the Rays' medical staff took Cobb off the field through the home-plate tunnel. Pitcher James Shields, who the Rays traded to the Royals during the offseason, was in tears.

The ball came off the bat at 102.4 mph, according to Grantland's Jonah Keri.

(Video from Fansided.com.)

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/346018872832454656

https://twitter.com/jonahkeri/status/346020551434850304

https://twitter.com/jonahkeri/status/346019058673668097

https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/346018375035654144

Cobb, 25, is in the midst of his first full major league season. He entered Saturday's game with a 6-2 record and 2.95 ERA.

The Rays tweeted that Cobb was brought to a local hospital and remained conscious the entire time.

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/346027199062753280

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/346027257317437440

J.A. Happ was struck by a line drive on a similar play in May