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A's pitcher stable with skull fracture

 
Published Sept. 7, 2012

OAKLAND, Calif. — Athletics RHP Brandon McCarthy was in stable condition at a hospital's critical care unit Thursday, a day after having surgery for a skull fracture and brain bruise caused by a line drive.

McCarthy was hit in the right side of the head Wednesday night by a line drive off the bat of the Angels' Erick Aybar. He was knocked down and hit his head on the ground.

McCarthy, 29, eventually walked off under his own power and was taken to a local hospital for tests and observation.

A CT scan after the incident showed McCarthy had an epidural hemorrhage, brain bruise and skull fracture. McCarthy was transferred to another hospital and had a second CT scan. He then had two hours of surgery Wednesday to relieve pressure in his head.

A CT scan taken Thursday showed improvement, and McCarthy is currently resting in the hospital.

The A's did not give a time­table for how long McCarthy will be out.

"Our first concern is Brandon's health, and we are heartened to learn he has shown progress in his recovery after surgery," GM Billy Beane said. "We are glad to report he is stable, awake and alert."

More A's: 3B Brandon Inge was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder, and he will have season-ending surgery on it.

Angels' Weaver out: RHP Jered Weaver has biceps tendinitis in his right arm and will not pitch against Detroit this weekend. An MRI exam on Weaver's right shoulder revealed the condition, which apparently is unrelated to his being hit by a line drive Sunday. The team has not yet announced when he will make his next start. If Weaver can't go Tuesday, Jerome Williams or Barry Enright likely pitch. RHP Ervin Santana is scheduled to start today.

Honoring Cal: The Orioles unveiled a statue of baseball's iron man, Cal Ripken Jr., in the picnic area beyond the centerfield wall. Thursday was the 17th anniversary of the day Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's mark of consecutive games played.

Brewers: 3B Aramis Ramirez was held out with a lower-back and oblique strain. He aggravated his back during an at-bat Wednesday. "You always worry about those things because they can be more than what the player thinks," manager Ron Roenicke said. "He says, 'I don't think it's that bad, maybe just a day.' Sometimes it turns into a lot more than that."

Marlins: RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo, who has not pitched this season, had elbow ligament replacement surgery and could miss the 2013 season. Oviedo was suspended eight weeks by the league for pitching under the name of Leo Nunez and was eligible to return July 23. He injured his elbow during a minor-league rehab assignment and will be a free agent after this season.

Yankees: 1B Mark Teixeira (strained left calf) jogged in the outfield and said he's close to returning to the lineup.

Florida state league: Jupiter defeated St. Lucie 11-7 to capture the best-of-three semifinal series and advance in the Class A minor-league playoffs. The Hammer­heads host Lakeland today in the first game of a best-of-five championship series.