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Angels Pitcher Should Be OK After Liner To Head

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker is resting comfortably after taking a line drive to the head in Sunday's game with Seattle.

Shoemaker suffered bleeding in his brain but never lost conciousness. He was rushed to a hospital is Seattle to undergo emergency surgery.

Dr. May Kim-Tenser, an assistant professor of neurology at Keck Hospital of USC, watched the video of the incident and says there should be some initial discomfort but he'll return to normal soon.

"With that force of speed on that skull it's going to fracture so yeah I think with that skull fracture it probably tore one of the middle meningeal arteries in his skull," May-Tesner said.

Shoemaker was hit on the right side of his head with one out in the second inning in Sunday game with Seattle. The line-drive off the bat of Kyle Seager had an exit velocity of 105 mph according to MLB Statcast. Shoemaker was able to turn his head slightly to avoid a direct blow to his face but was unable to get his mitt up in time.

Dr. Kim-Tenser says a line drive to the side of the head was actually better than to the front.  If the ball had hit him in the front of the head there might be some personality and mood changes, Kim-Tesner said. "It shouldn't really affect him too much. He might have some headaches, might be a little more fatigued than usual but he should get back to his normal self after awhile."

After the incident, Shoemaker eventually walked off the field with trainers on either side. It was later announced that he suffered a skull fracture and hematoma.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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