KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Atlanta Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar was awake and able to respond to doctors Wednesday after being hit in the face by Brian McCann's foul liner during an exhibition game.

Salazar may have sustained a concussion and might have damage around his left eye, Braves general manager Frank Wren.

He did not have a report from the hospital on Salazar's condition.

Salazar was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center after being struck while standing in the first-base dugout as the Braves and played the St. Louis Cardinals.

Wren said Salazar was unconscious when an ambulance drove onto the field to help the 54-year-old former big leaguer. Wren said Salazar was hit around the nose, toward his left eye.

The game was delayed nearly 20 minutes while medical personnel tended to Salazar.

McCann took himself out of the game and went to the hospital with a team trainer. The Braves said Salazar's son, who was at the game, and his wife, who was not in attendance, also went to the hospital.

Braves star Chipper Jones was on first base when the accident occurred. He said Salazar was leaning against a dugout railing and toppled backward, hitting his head on the concrete floor.

Cardinals starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez described the scene as "sickening."

Salazar played in the major leagues from 1980 through 1992 for San Diego, Detroit, the Cubs and the White Sox. He mostly played third base, was a career .261 hitter with 94 home runs, and played in the 1984 World Series for the Padres.

Salazar was set to manage the Braves' Class A team in Lynchburg, Va.