Matt Shoemaker Injury: Updates on Angels Pitcher's Recovery from Head Surgery

Scott PolacekSep 4, 2016

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of the Seattle Mariners’ Kyle Seager on Sept. 4 and was sent to the hospital.

He underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a "small skull fracture and hematoma," per Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times. An official timeline for his recovery has yet to be revealed.

Continue for updates.

Shoemaker Returns to Hospital

Sunday, Sept. 11

"Shoemaker was back in the hospital on Saturday. Angels general manager Billy Eppler said it was done as a precautionary measure after an MRI for swelling came back inconclusive. Eppler said Shoemaker had complained of pressure," reported the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "A CT scan taken after Shoemaker was hospitalized came back negative for brain swelling, but Eppler said he would remain overnight for observation."

Eppler confirmed Shoemaker had been previously discharged from the hospital on Sept. 6, according to Moura.

Shoemaker Undergoes Surgery

Monday, Sept. 5

Eppler told reporters Shoemaker had surgery Sunday night to stop the bleeding. Eppler added Shoemaker is "recovering well."

Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reported, "Shoemaker is expected to make a full recovery for next season."

Shoemaker Walks off Under Own Power After Scary Incident

Sunday, Sept. 4

Moura noted the line drive came off the bat at 105 mph. The crowd in Seattle gave Shoemaker a standing ovation as team doctors helped him off the field.

Seager Comments on Shoemaker's Injury

Sunday, Sept. 4

"That was terrifying," said Seager, per Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com. "The scariest thing I have seen on a baseball field. That was bigger than [baseball], that was real."

Shoemaker Had Been Bright Spot for Disappointing Angels

Entering play Sunday, Shoemaker had 26 starts on the season for the Angels. He sported a 3.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 158.2 innings, and the strikeouts and innings pitched were both already career-high totals.

He was also formidable in 2014 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 27 appearances (20 starts) but struggled some last year with a 4.46 ERA in 25 games.