Angels' Matt Shoemaker has surgery to stop bleeding in his skull

ByABC News
September 5, 2016, 3:10 PM

— -- Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker had surgery Sunday night to stop additional bleeding in his skull after getting hit in the head by a line drive.

Shoemaker had the procedure late Sunday at Seattle's University of Washington Medical Center, and athletic trainer Adam Nevala is staying with him until he is able to travel to Southern California.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler provided the update Monday in Oakland, saying Shoemaker had been receiving CT scans every 2/3 hours when the third image showed increased bleeding. That's when surgery was determined the next step.

He told reporters Monday that the surgery was successful and that Shoemaker is speaking and recovering.

Shoemaker was diagnosed with a small skull fracture and a hematoma Sunday after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager.

"The fact of the matter is he was conscious, and at least all his reactions were what they were supposed to be on the assessment. I think we could exhale a little bit,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Just to get him up and walking off the field let you feel a little bit better about what could have been happening. It's tough.''

Eppler told reporters that Shoemaker is expected to return to Southern California later this week.

Seager's liner had an exit velocity of 105 mph, according to MLB Statcast. Shoemaker immediately went to the ground as trainers rushed to the field. He never lost consciousness but was down for several minutes and was bleeding from the spot where he was hit.

"That was probably the scariest thing I've ever seen on a baseball field,'' Seager said.

Shoemaker is in his third full season with the Angels, emerging as a rookie in 2014 when he went 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA. He has struggled at times this year but went into Sunday's game having won his three previous decisions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.