Janelle Briseno (Family photo) |
LOS ANGELES -- A 3-year-old girl is recovering from surgery Tuesday for a fractured skull she suffered when she was struck by a baseball during batting practice at Dodger Stadium.
Janelle Briseno is expected to make a full recovery.
"The surgery went well and we anticipate a full recovery," said Dr. J. Gordon McComb, head of the Division of Neurosurgery for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
"We expect she'll be able to go home by the end of the week."
The injury happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday during batting practice.
Dodgers catcher Russell Martin hit a line drive down the left field line, which struck Janelle in the head, knocking her unconscious, Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck said.
Witnesses say the girl's father carried her up the stairs to a first aid station.
A fire department vehicle transported the girl to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
"I was just saying, 'Please, God. Don't do this to me. She doesn't deserve it,'" Jose Briseno told reporters outside the hospital. "It's the scariest noise I've ever heard in my life. I just saw my daughter hit the floor."
Martin was visibly concerned, saying as soon as the ball hit her, he "knew it wasn't a good sound," according to MLB.com.
"I mean, I've hit somebody before, but not where they had to be rushed to be the hospital."
Martin said he spoke with Janelle's father on Tuesday.
"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 Janelle when the time is right and he wants to pay for all of the medical bills if necessary. Martin says the little girl remains in his thoughts and prayers.
Janelle Briseno is expected to make a full recovery.
"The surgery went well and we anticipate a full recovery," said Dr. J. Gordon McComb, head of the Division of Neurosurgery for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
"We expect she'll be able to go home by the end of the week."
The injury happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday during batting practice.
Dodgers catcher Russell Martin hit a line drive down the left field line, which struck Janelle in the head, knocking her unconscious, Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck said.
Witnesses say the girl's father carried her up the stairs to a first aid station.
A fire department vehicle transported the girl to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
"I was just saying, 'Please, God. Don't do this to me. She doesn't deserve it,'" Jose Briseno told reporters outside the hospital. "It's the scariest noise I've ever heard in my life. I just saw my daughter hit the floor."
Martin was visibly concerned, saying as soon as the ball hit her, he "knew it wasn't a good sound," according to MLB.com.
"I mean, I've hit somebody before, but not where they had to be rushed to be the hospital."
Martin said he spoke with Janelle's father on Tuesday.
"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 Janelle when the time is right and he wants to pay for all of the medical bills if necessary. Martin says the little girl remains in his thoughts and prayers.
