Maeda injures leg on Goldschmidt's hard liner

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda was helped off the field by trainers after being struck by a comebacker during the sixth inning of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt hammered a 95-mph liner off the shin of the Japanese hurler, which hit him directly below his right knee. After throwing out Goldschmidt at first, Maeda fell to the ground and looked to be in a considerable amount of pain. He struggled to put any weight on the leg afterwards and needed assistance to leave the field.

Shortly after his exit, the Dodgers announced Maeda suffered a right lower leg contusion, and that X-rays returned negative. Maeda was spotted by reporters limping around after the game, though manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism the right-hander would make his next start.

"Among all the hits I have taken in the past," Maeda said, "it hurt the most."

Losing Maeda for an extended period of time would be a crushing blow for the Dodgers, who have been snake-bitten by injuries this season. Among the pitchers currently sidelined: starters Alex Wood, Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, and Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Maeda, a 28-year-old rookie whose spent the past eight seasons in Japan, signed a lucrative and unusual eight-year deal worth $25 million in the offseason.

He owned a 5-4 record with a 2.70 ERA in 12 starts prior to Tuesday's game.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)