UPDATE: Brandon McCarthy “alert, awake” after surgery

Glendale native and Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy is “alert, awake and resting comfortably” and “showing signs of improvement” after undergoing surgery to relieve pressure in his head, according to the team’s website Thursday.

McCarthy underwent surgery Thursday after a CT scan performed Wednesday night showed he suffered a skull fracture, brain contusion and epidural hemorrhage after he was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Los Angeles Angels batter Erick Aybar in a game earlier that day.

“Our first concern is Brandon’s health, and we are heartened to learn he has shown progress in his recovery after surgery,” A’s Vice President and General Manager Billy Beane said in a statement. “We are glad to report he is stable, awake and alert. The team will provide further updates as they become available in the coming days. We would ask members of the media to respect the privacy of Brandon and his family during this time.”

There’s no timetable for McCarthy’s return, but Oakland catcher Derek Norris hopes to get the right-hander back soon, as the Athletics (76-60) are in a push for the playoffs. They were half a game back in the wild-card race coming into Friday’s game with the Seattle Mariners.

“It obviously hurts,” Norris told MLB.com. “He’s our No. 1 guy out there.”