OAKLAND – A's pitcher Brandon McCarthy was in stable condition Thursday following surgery for an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture caused by a line drive that struck him on the head while he was pitching Wednesday.
McCarthy was alert and resting in the critical care unit of a Bay Area hospital following the two-hour operation performed Wednesday night, a team release said.
The pitcher underwent a CT scan earlier in the evening that revealed the injuries, and the surgery was performed to relieve pressure "from McCarthy's head," the A's release said.
A third CT scan performed Thursday "demonstrated improvement from his previous scan, and the epidural hemorrhage had subsided," according to the release.
McCarthy was transferred from Alta Bates Summit Medical Center on Wednesday night to a different unidentified hospital, where the surgery was performed.
"Our first concern is Brandon's health, and we are heartened to learn he has shown progress in his recovery after surgery," A's general manager Billy Beane said in the statement. "We are glad to report he is stable, awake and alert."
The A's provided no further prognosis, but it's reasonable to assume McCarthy, who is 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 18 starts, will miss the rest of the season. His next turn in the rotation was scheduled for Tuesday in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
River Cats starter Dan Straily, who has made three starts for Oakland this season, was scratched from today's Pacific Coast League playoff start against Reno and accompanied the A's to Seattle. That's an indication Oakland is keeping Straily available in case he's needed to replace McCarthy. Long reliever Travis Blackley, who relieved McCarthy after McCarthy left Wednesday's game against the Angels, also is an option.
Inge goes on DL – Third baseman Brandon Inge was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right shoulder. Inge will have season-ending surgery on the shoulder.
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