SAN FRANCISCO — Doctors said Wednesday they have upgraded the condition of a Giants fan who has recently shown increasing brain activity after a severe beating left him in a coma three months ago outside Dodger Stadium.
Bryan Stow is now breathing without a ventilator, has moved his left arm and been able to intermittently follow some basic commands as physicians wean him off heavy sedatives used to ward off seizures, said Geoff Manley, chief of neurosurgery at San Francisco General Hospital.
Manley cautioned, however, he could not predict whether Stow would recover further, and that dangers such as infection and a buildup of fluids around the brain remained.
“He is far from out of the woods,” Manley said of the 42-year-old Santa Cruz, Calif., paramedic.
Stow had been in critical condition since the March 31 attack after the season opener. His condition has been upgraded to serious.
He was still without the left half of his skull, which doctors removed to reduce pressure from brain swelling.
“It is a long road to recovery from where we are,” Manley said.
Lyon likely out rest of season
ARLINGTON, Texas — Astros closer Brandon Lyon is planning to have surgery on his pitching shoulder next week and likely is out for the season.
Davis facing ankle surgery
NEW YORK — Mets first baseman Ike Davis might need season-ending ankle surgery if his bone bruise has not healed sufficiently in three weeks for him to resume baseball activities.
Footnotes.
Angels outfielder Torii Hunter (ribs) is day to day.
• The Athletics activated second baseman Mark Ellis (hamstring) and optioned slumping first baseman Daric Barton to Triple-A Sacramento.
• Yankees reliever Jeff Marquez (shoulder) was placed on the DL.
• The Cardinals released Miguel Batista a day after the reliever walked consecutive batters with the bases loaded.
The Associated Press
