It was a nightmare start to Jordan Zimmermann’s third game of the season.

The Tigers right-hander was forced to leave Wednesday’s game against the Indians just two outs in, after a line drive off the bat of Jason Kipnis hit him squarely in the right side of his face. Zimmermann collapsed to the dirt, where he lay facedown until Tigers catcher James McCann and team trainers came rushing to his aid.

Kipnis was the second batter Zimmermann had faced after he got leadoff man Francisco Lindor to fly out to right field. Kipnis’ shot redirected off Zimmermann’s face to Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who stepped on the bag before a clearly shaken Kipnis could get there. The Indians second baseman immediately put his head in his hands and watched in a crouched position as Tigers trainers slowly helped Zimmermann to his feet.

Zimmermann, who had thrown just seven pitches, walked off the field without assistance and is being evaluated for a right jaw contusion, the team announced. He passed concussion protocol but remains at the hospital for X-rays.

Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris replaced Zimmermann in the bottom of the first.

Zimmermann, 31, had gotten off to a rough start in 2018, giving up 10 earned runs over 6 1/3 total innings pitched in his first two games.