Matt Shoemaker underwent surgery late on Sunday to stop bleeding in his brain reports the Associated Press. The Los Angeles Angels starter was seriously injured after getting struck on the right side of his head by a Kyle Seager line drive. Shoemaker was immediately taken to hospital following the incident.
The right-hander received CT scans every 2-3 hours according to general manager Billy Eppler. The Associated Press reports Shoemaker’s brain bleeding increased, which forced him to undergo emergency surgery.
Eppler told AP the surgery stopped the bleeding and Shoemaker is recovering.
“The CT scan confirmed or when they actually did the operation that confirmed where the bleeding was,” Eppler said. “They were able to access that area. They were able to seal it, stop the bleeding. He was wheeled back up into recovery and is recovering fine.”
It’s awful Shoemaker’s brain was bleeding from the hit, but encouraging doctors found the issue and performed emergency surgery to stop it. Shoemaker likely isn’t going to pitch anytime soon, but considering what he’s gone through, I’d bet he’s happy he’ll eventually be able to walk away from the hit.
The Angels haven’t announced Shoemaker’s replacement in the rotation but recently demoted veteran Tim Lincecum was mentioned as a possible candidate by manager Mike Scioscia.
The scariest accidental play in baseball is the comebacker. The human body isn’t designed to take 100+ MPH baseball’s to the head. Shoemaker is lucky the damage wasn’t worse. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
