Yanks' Dickerson cleared to play after concussion

NEW YORK (AP) - Yankees backup outfielder Chris Dickerson has been cleared to play, three days after he was hit in the head by a fastball that left him with a concussion.

Like other sports, baseball recently implemented new rules regulating when players can return to action following a concussion.

Dickerson says his impact test was reviewed Friday and he was examined by a neurologist, who cleared him to play. Then, the test results were sent to Major League Baseball, which also gave him an OK.

"I feel fine. Completely normal," Dickerson said Saturday.

He participated fully in batting and fielding practice before the Yankees hosted the New York Mets, but was not in the starting lineup.

Called up from the minors Tuesday, Dickerson was beaned by Mike Gonzalez's fastball in the 15th inning of New York's victory Wednesday night at Baltimore. His helmet was cracked by the impact.

"They're not supposed to do that," Dickerson said.

He was taken to the hospital and said a CT scan showed a concussion, but the test results were otherwise normal. Gonzalez made it a point to apologize to Dickerson and make sure he understood that the pitch was not intentional.

Dickerson said he had headaches for a few days, but no longer has any lingering effects.

He said he has had a concussion before and this one was nothing too severe. He has no intentions of wearing the large, bulky helmet required in the minors to protect players from head injuries.

NOTES: The Yankees optioned right-hander Amauri Sanit to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled right-handed reliever Lance Pendleton for his second big league stint this season.