Injured minor leaguer airlifted, game suspended

VIERA, Fla. (AP) A minor league player in the New York Mets' organization could soon be released from the hospital after he was airlifted from the field Friday because of a head injury.

The Mets said 22-year-old first baseman Manuel Hilario ''began to experience seizures and remained unresponsive'' after his head hit the knee of the Nationals second baseman while trying to break up a double play in the rookie Gulf Coast League game.

Hilario was treated on the field and then taken by helicopter to a hospital. The Mets said he had a CT scan that ''appears to be normal. He is talkative, in good spirits and could be discharged tomorrow.''

The game was suspended in the fourth inning after the injury.

Hilario is in his fourth season in the Mets' system. He collided with second baseman Younaifred Aguero in the game at Washington's spring training complex.