A’s McCarthy hit by line drive in head

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland A’s starter Brandon McCarthy left in the fourth inning Wednesday after a hard line drive off the bat of Erick Aybar of the Los Angeles Angels hit him in the head.

McCarthy, a former White Sox pitcher, had almost no time to react when Aybar lined his 91 mph cutter back. The ball bounced off the right side of McCarthy’s head, knocking the A’s pitcher down. He also landed on his head on the infield grass.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson picked up the deflected ball and threw out Morales for the second out of the inning.

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.

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.

McCarthy left with Oakland trailing 3-1. He allowed five hits, struck out three and walked one intentionally. Travis Blackley entered in relief.

McCarthy began the day with an 8-5 record and a 3.10 ERA. The team did not have any immediate update on McCarthy’s status.