OAKLAND -- Nine days after a line drive to the head forced him into two hours of surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain and stabilize his fractured skull, A's Opening Day starter Brandon McCarthy was back in his regular spot in the team's clubhouse, filling in a crossword puzzle.
"We had no idea he'd be here today," Jerry Blevins said. "I think he was really excited to be back."
Asked how he looked, Blevins had an interesting answer.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE "He looks a lot tougher than he did," Blevins said.
The tough look comes with from a newly-buzzed head and what Blevins described as a "cool" scar.
As players filtered back into the clubhouse after pregame batting practice Friday, there was McCarthy. There wasn't a team meeting or anything planned. Instead he casually met with players individually.
The A's, who were planning a team visit in the coming days, were much happier to welcome McCarthy into the relaxed atmosphere of the team's clubhouse.
News
Blevins shared a light and entertaining interaction with the starting pitcher. Blevins suggested McCarthy fill in the crossword puzzles backwards before turning it in to the A's clubhouse staff and asking how it looked.
McCarthy countered, saying he'd do so, only he planned to fill the crossword puzzle squares with smiley faces.
His presence alone was enough to fill the A's clubhouse with smiling faces.