Brandon McCarthy injury: A's pitcher to throw Saturday

Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy received doctors clearance on Friday to resume throwing. He'll throw on Saturday for the first time since being struck in the head by a line drive on September 5.

Not only will McCarthy resume throwing, he will also be in the dugout for Oakland's final two home series of the regular season.

"Now I can be in the dugout. I can be around the game atmosphere again," McCarthy said, according to CSN Bay Area. "I think it's really what I need to get my mind off everything."

McCarthy, who said he is still experiencing occasional bouts of mild cloudiness, plans to be able to complete his usual offseason workout routine. He suffered a skull fracture, brain contusion and epidural hemorrhage and while his one-year contract expires after this season, he hopes to stay in Oakland.

"It's been that way from Day 1," McCarthy said. "And it certainly hasn't changed now. Going through something like this, where you see the reactions, not only from the fans and teammates, but the way the front office handled it was beyond first class.

"It truly shows you the family system that's in place. I'd like to be back here."

For now, McCarty will continue to recover while adding whatever he can to the A's clubhouse, even if it's just a bit of humor.

"He's a big boost on a team with so many young guys, especially a young staff," Sean Doolittle said. "He's a very calming presence and he's helped a lot of guys out just by the way he goes about his stuff.