Preston Gomez in critical condition

Preston Gomez, a longtime fixture in baseball, was in critical condition Wednesday after being struck by a motorist at a Blythe gas station. Gomez, who was set to be the special assistant to general manager Tony Reagins, was returning from spring training at the time. Gomez is always quick with a handshake or a hello to anybody he sees, and his situation so troubled manager Mike Scioscia that he did not have a comment for reporters today. Gomez was airlifted to a Palm Springs hospital.