LOS ANGELES — A three-year-old girl whose skull was fractured by a line drive during batting practice at Dodger Stadium underwent surgery Tuesday.
In a statement, officials from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles said they expect the girl will be well enough for release by the end of the week.
“The surgery went well and we anticipate a full recovery,” said Dr. J. Gordon McComb, the hospital’s head of neurosurgery.
The accident occurred Monday when Canadian catcher Russell Martin hit a line drive in the stands near third base, hitting the girl and knocking her unconscious, said Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck. The girl was sitting with her father, who rushed her to the first-aid station. The fire department transported her to the hospital.
Jareck said batting practice continued, but Martin, from Chelsea, Que., was upset by the incident and has offered to pay for her medical expenses. Jareck said he did not have the girl’s name.
“I’m just glad to hear that she had surgery earlier today and she’s doing better, and long-term she’s going to be OK,” he said before the game against St. Louis.
“I’m sure she’s still a little bit shaken up. It’s definitely tough for the whole family, but at least the good news is that she’s going to be OK.”
Martin said he’d like to visit the girl when the time is right.