Aledmys Diaz jokingly protects himself in full catcher's gear

Two days after being taken to hospital after fouling a ball off his face, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz is having a little fun at his own expense.

Related: Diaz taken to hospital after fouling ball off his face

Diaz was seen in full catcher's gear on the team's bench prior to a game Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals.

Diaz, who cleared concussion tests and didn't have any fractures in his face after Monday's bizarre incident, was being extra cautious after he was struck in the back by a foul ball Tuesday as well.

The 25-year-old is expected to miss multiple games with swelling around his right eye that's causing vision problems.

"Everything looks pretty good," Diaz told MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch on Tuesday. "I don't feel pain at all. I just feel discomfort in my eye with the inflammation. I don't see very well right now, but thank God it's nothing worse."

The 25-year-old rookie has been a big part of the Cardinals lineup, hitting .316/.374/.523 with 10 home runs, 21 doubles, and 40 RBIs.