Star Metro - Dodgers pitcher checked for concussion after head-shot

Miller crumpled to the mound after taking the full force of a powerfully-struck single from Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch near his right temple in the Dodgers' opening spring training game at Camelback Ranch.

Miller, 25, rubbed his head after the scary-looking third inning incident but managed to get to his feet and walk off the field unassisted.

"Certainly it was a very scary moment," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He's going to be under concussion protocol. We'll keep an eye on him tonight.

"We've got to make sure he feels OK going forward. I don't know how long the protocol lasts, but again, very scary moment. It was good to see him actually walk off the field knowing where he was at."

The World Series champion Dodgers went on to suffer a heavy 12-4 defeat in a pre-season opener that was notable for a successful test of Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike system (ABSS)-- or "robot umpires".

Under the system, which uses Hawk-Eye technology which has been successfully deployed in sports such as cricket, tennis and football, teams can now challenge an umpire's call on the field if they feel a strike or ball call is incorrect.

The system was put to the test when Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet challenged a pitch to Dodgers slugger Max Muncy that was deemed to be outside the strike zone. The ABSS reviewed the call and overturned the umpire decision.

N.Fournier--SMC