Hawaii starting pitcher Cade Smith has been medically cleared to play, but first baseman Alex Baeza’s availability remains in question for Friday’s road game against UC Riverside.

Smith exited after 2 2⁄3 scoreless innings when a line drive struck his right thigh on Saturday. He did not suffer any injury to his knee or bones.

“He got smoked on the thigh,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said. “He’s got full range of motion. If there’s any pain, he’ll have to deal with it, because it’s just muscle, and he’ll be fine.”

Smith is scheduled to start for UH on Saturday.

Baeza remains in the concussion protocol after being struck on the face with a helmet in Sunday’s game against UC Davis. A helmet fell off an Aggie racing to first base, was inadvertently kicked, and then smacked Baeza’s face. Baeza said he suffered a cut when the helmet pressed against his nose.

Before Tuesday’s practice, Baeza said he was experiencing more external pain from the helmet’s impact than interior aches. He did not practice.

“We’ll see what happens,” Trapasso said. “If he wakes up (Wednesday) with no symptoms, there’s the possibility of him playing Friday. Right now, we have to go into the weekend with the expectation he’s not going to play Friday, and we don’t know about Saturday or Sunday.”

If Baeza is unavailable, Logan Pouelsen, who is scheduled to pitch on Sunday, will play first base. If Baeza is out and Pouelsen is pitching, designated hitter Brennen Hancock will play first.

“I’m comfortable playing first,” said Hancock, a junior college transfer who is hitting .409 in six Big West games. “I’ve been playing there my whole life. If I get thrown out there, it’s not going to be much of an adjustment.”

Pouelsen also is prepared to play first. “I’ve been playing first base every practice we’ve had,” said Pouelsen, who has been used mostly as a designated hitter and pitcher this season. “It’s just like riding a bike getting back out there, getting the reps in, getting ready to go this weekend.”

This season, Baeza is hitting .312 with a team-high four home runs. He has committed only one error in 274 chances.

“It is what it is,” Trapasso said. “We’ve been dealing with injuries all year long. It’s not something we’re going to get worked up over.”