SAN FRANCISCO _ Giants catcher Buster Posey left Monday's game in the first inning after he was struck on the helmet by a pitch from Arizona right-hander Taijuan Walker.
The impact made an especially loud sound and Posey remained down for several moments as Giants manager Bruce Bochy and head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner rushed onto the field. Posey sat up and walked off with Groeschner, with no apparent discussion about trying to stay in the game.
There was no sign of blood but it's expected that Posey would be put through the concussion protocol; last year in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, second baseman Joe Panik was hit in the helmet by a pitch from current Giant Matt Moore and wound up missing more than a month because of concussion symptoms.
The Giants will be even more careful with Posey because of the position he plays, where he is exposed to foul tips off the mask.
Nick Hundley pinch-ran for Posey and remained in the game at catcher.
