Marlins' Stanton beaned in spring training

Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was hit on the back of the helmet near the top of his neck by a pitch during live batting practice in a Marlins simulated game Wednesday but appeared to escaped serious injury.

Prospect Jose Fernandez threw a fastball at Marlins' camp in Jupiter, Fla. that knocked off Stanton's helmet. He retrieved it and left the field under his own power. He later was taken by a trainer from the practice field in a golf cart but was signing autographs, the Palm Beach Post reported.

Stanton is hoping he won't miss any practice time but said he'll have a better idea on Thursday. He was wearing an ice pack on his neck in the clubhouse.

"It has happened before and there will be another time," Stanton told the Post. "It hit me first and then the helmet decided to come in after the impact."

I wasn't dizzy or nothing. I saw a little greyness, fuzziness on the outside of my eyes. But it's subsiding now. Obviously, he didn't meant to. Why would he? No big deal."

Fernandez, considered the Marlins' top pitching prospect, was upset after the 95 mph fastball beaned his teammate.

"It's not a good feeling, I promise you that," Fernandez said, according to the Post. "I came right in before running. I asked him if he was doing OK. I know I was throwing hard. The ball slipped out of my hand. God, I was nervous when I hit him."

Fernandez said Stanton laughed and said, "'Bro, it's OK. It's baseball. It happens.'"