Miguel Cabrera needs stitches after getting hit in face

Miguel Cabrera, the Detroit Tigers' third baseman, became a bloody mess Monday when he was struck in the face by a ground ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence.

There are those who would suggest that the slugger, who hasn't played the position in three seasons, doesn't belong there. He's never been a particularly good defensive player in the major leagues, often hidden in left field or used as a designated hitter.

Cabrera, a .317 lifetime hitter who has averaged 32 home runs and 115 runs batted in during his nine-year career, was the victim of an apparent bad hop. The hard-hit grounder took a big bounce when it hit the lip of the infield.

Cabrera had no time to react, turning his head so the ball hit him below the right eye instead of square in the face. The blood immediately began to flow. Cabrera left the game, a 4-3 loss to Philadelphia, and was taken to a hospital, where he received stitches and got precautionary X-rays.

"We don't have any information," Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said, repeating that answer several times.

"It swelled up," Leyland said. "Basically he looked like a fighter that needed a cut man and wasn't doing any good in the fight."

Associated Press contributed to this report.