Brandon McCarthy Took A Line Drive Right Above The Ear

It has not been the smoothest of 2012s for Brandon McCarthy, the talented Oakland starter. After a number of injury-plagued seasons, McCarthy began the year as the Athletics' opening day starter, only to hit the DL with a shoulder strain in May. A June return proved too soon, and he went on the DL again.

McCarthy had been healthy for the better part of a month, finally putting together a sustained run of quality starts before he hits free agency this winter, when he took a line drive from Erick Aybar off the side of his head. Scary stuff, especially watching McCarthy's eyes roll back in his head. Luckily he was able to leave the field under his own power, and we'll have an update once we know more.