Donnelly hospitalized because of nosebleeds

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Anaheim Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly has been hospitalized because of severe nosebleeds while recovering from being hit in the face by a fly ball.

Donnelly returned to a Scottsdale hospital late Saturday and was being monitored Sunday. His nose was broken in 20 places on March 9 while shagging flies, and he's undergone surgery twice.

"They told me I lost half the blood in my body," Donnelly said Saturday, adding that he'd lost seven pints of blood.

Said Angels shortstop David Eckstein: "We're concerned with his safety. It's dangerous to lose that much blood."

Donnelly will start the season on the disabled list, the team said Sunday. He will remain in the hospital three or four days.

"He will be re-evaluated daily and may have another procedure," Angels spokesman Eric Kay said.

Donnelly was the winning pitcher in last summer's All-Star game. He was 2-2 with three saves and a 1.58 ERA in a team-leading 63 appearances.

Donnelly visited the Angels clubhouse Saturday and did light wrist workouts before returning to the emergency room.

"It's definitely a big concern," Eckstein said Sunday. "It looked like everything was going to be OK and suddenly he was back in the ER. But you know him, every time you see him he's so tough. He seems indestructible. The health is the main thing."