Former Northwestern and current Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ was hospitalized tonight after being struck in the head with a line drive.

Happ was pitching in the bottom of the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays when a line drive off the bat of Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings struck the left-hander in the side of the head.

Medical personnel tended to Happ for about eight minutes before he was strapped to a stretcher and taken to a local hospital, according to ESPN. Happ raised his hand and waved as he was taken off the field. The Blue Jays informed ESPN Happ is alert and being given tests at the hospital.

Happ played at NU from 2002-04 and was the first player in program history to be named first-team All-Big Ten in three consecutive seasons before being drafted in the third round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.

NU baseball coach Paul Stevens said he has tried to contact Happ in the hospital.

— Alex Putterman