Matt Shoemaker back in hospital, will remain overnight as precaution

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Sunday, September 11, 2016

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who had emergency brain surgery on Sunday after taking a line drive off his head, 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.

A CT scan taken after Shoemaker was hospitalized came back negative for brain swelling, but Eppler said the pitcher would remain overnight for observation.

Shoemaker was diagnosed with a small skull fracture and a hematoma on Sept. 4 after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager.

Seager's liner had an exit velocity of 105 mph, according to MLB Statcast. Shoemaker immediately went to the ground as trainers rushed to the field. He never lost consciousness but was down for several minutes and was bleeding from the spot where he was hit.

According to Eppler, Shoemaker had been receiving CT scans every two to three hours following the hit when the third image showed increased bleeding. That led to Sunday's procedure.

Eppler told reporters on Monday that the surgery was successful, and Shoemaker was released from the hospital on Tuesday.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.