Bartolo Colon hospitalized after hit in mouth by line drive (Video)

Scott Boeck, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Bartolo Colon was hospitalized Sunday after he was hit in the mouth by a line drive while playing in the Dominican Republic.

He was seen walking off the field under his own power and taken to the hospital for further tests.

Colon, who was suspended 50 games on Aug. 22 by Major League Baseball for a failed drug test, was pitching in the Dominican Winter League.

He is the latest pitcher to get injured by a comebacker.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Doug Fister was hit on the back of the head by a line drive in Game 2 of the World Series. Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy was hit in the head last month, causing a skull fracture and brain contusion.

Colon, 39, was a teammate of McCarthy's this season before he was suspended.

He was having a successful season going 10-9 with a 3.43 ERA. In 2011, he resurrected his career with the New York Yankees.

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Major League Baseball is on the 'fast track' on ways to protect pitchers from batted balls.

The safety issue is on the agenda at baseball's winter meeting this December.

A cap liner with Kevlar, the high-impact material used by military, law enforcement and NFL players for body armor, is among the ideas under consideration for pitchers.