Brandon McCarthy injury: Athletics pitcher cleared to resume baseball activities

After undergoing substantial testing lasting over 20 hours, Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy was cleared on Wednesday to resume baseball activities, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

McCarthy was injured in frightening fashion on Sept. 5 when he took a line drive to the head off the bat of Los Angeles Angels' shortstop Erick Aybar. He was able to stand up following the injury, but had to undergo intensive surgery to relieve cranial pressure when CT scans revealed that he suffered an epidural hemorrhage. He was subsequently diagnosed with both a brain contusion and a skull fracture.

Following the tests, concussion expert Dr. Michael Collins determined that McCarthy was healthy -- so much so that he can now start talking to teams about a new contract. The right hander appeared and started in 18 games last season and faced 469 batters. He totaled 73 strikeouts, 24 walks, and finished the campaign with an ERA of 3.24 in 111 innings pitched.

Given the horrific nature of the injury, the news of McCarthy's relatively swift recovery is significant.