Oakland A's Pitcher OK After Taking a Line Drive to the Head Off of a 91 MPH Pitch

Oakland Althetics' pitcher Brandon McCarthy took a line drive to the head Wednesday night, and after two hours of surgery on Thursday is reported to be alert and recovering.

The incident occurred in a game against the Los Angeles Angels off a 91 mph pitch that was hit by right-hander Erick Aybar in the fourth inning. McCarthy was knocked on the right side of his head and off his feat.

McCarthy curled up in a ball and was writhing in pain. Team trainers checked on McCarthy for several minutes as A's players huddled around the infield and on the top step of the dugout.

This video from Comcast Sports Net shows the hit:

Aybar stood on first base and looked on with concern. He could be seen in the Angels' dugout later sitting with his head down and his hands over his head.

McCarthy eventually sat up and ran his hands through his hair and around his head. He walked off the mound under his own power to an ovation from the Oakland Coliseum crowd.

But there was a significant amount of trauma endured from such a blow to the head. McCarthy's surgery at a Bay Area hospital was to relieve pressure after a CT scan showed a fractured skull, epidural hemorrhage and brain contusion, according to the A's press release.

“Our first concern is Brandon’s health, and we are heartened to learn he has shown progress in his recovery after surgery,” Billy Beane, the A’s vice president and general manager, said in a statement. “We are glad to report he is stable, awake and alert.  The team will provide further updates as they become available in the coming days. We would ask members of the media to respect the privacy of Brandon and his family during this time. As we travel to Seattle today, Brandon remains in everyone’s thoughts as we wish him a speedy recovery.”

McCarthy is 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 18 starts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

(H/T: Deadspin)