Brandon McCarthy (head) was cleared for all baseball activities Wednesday after 20 hours of testing. Wonderful news. McCarthy needed life-saving emergency brain surgery after getting hit in the head by a comebacker in September. But he's now a free agent and should do pretty well for himself on the open market this winter. The 29-year-old right-hander boasts a 3.29 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 43 starts since the beginning of the 2011 season. The A's are known to want him back.

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have interest in free agent right-handers Brandon McCarthy and Shaun Marcum. Following the model they used last offseason with Paul Maholm and David DeJesus, the Cubs are targeting buy-low types that they could sign to modest deals and potentially flip for prospects at the trade deadline next year. The Cubs have more money to spend this winter, but they figure to have plenty of competition for both pitchers.

Brandon McCarthy has already drawn interest from numerous teams on the free agent market. The Athletics remain interested in re-signing the 28-year-old right-hander, but it looks like they'll have plenty of competition for his services. McCarthy posted a 3.24 ERA and 72/24 K/BB ratio over 111 innings before his season was ended prematurely due to a head injury. Barring any post-concussion setbacks, he will be cleared to pitch by spring training.

The San Francisco Chronicle expects Brandon McCarthy to be re-signed this offseason. McCarthy is working his way back from emergency brain surgery in September that ended his season. The sides reportedly have mutual interest in an extension, though McCarthy figures to draw top-of-the-rotation type money after posting a 3.24 ERA and 72/24 K/BB ratio in 18 starts (111 innings). Barring post-concussion setbacks, McCarthy will be cleared to pitch by spring training.

Brandon McCarthy (head) has been ruled out for the ALDS. No surprise there. McCarthy has yet to resume throwing from a mound, but the A's are hopeful that he could be available to pitch at some point during the postseason should they make a deep run. The righty hasn't appeared in a game since a line drive struck him in the head back on September 5.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said it "wouldn't surprise me" if Brandon McCarthy (head) returns at some point during the postseason. It's probably a longshot, but it's certainly a great sign for his recovery. McCarthy was cleared last week to rejoin his teammates in the dugout and has also resumed playing catch. The right-hander hasn't appeared in a game since a line drive struck him in the head back on September 5.

Brandon McCarthy (head) has been cleared to sit in the dugout during games and plans to try to play catch Saturday. McCarthy was hit in the head by a line drive on September 5 and required surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. It's still early, but the odds of him being ready to pitch next season are looking pretty good.

Brandon McCarthy (head) told ESPN The Magazine that that he believes he can start physical activity in a week or two. McCarthy was hit in the head by a line drive on September 5 and needed surgery later that night to relieve pressure on his brain. He has made steady progress since being released from the hospital on September 11 and could be cleared to travel with the team if they make the postseason. If all goes well, he could be ready to pitch again next year. The 29-year-old right-hander will be a free agent this offseason.

Brandon McCarthy was released from the hospital Tuesday. McCarthy is now resting at home, six days after undergoing emergency surgery to relieve pressure from his brain. The A's left-hander is making jokes on his personal Twitter feed and seems to be in great spirits, but he won't return to action this season and might not be fully recovered by the start of spring training next February. He is an impending free agent.

Brandon McCarthy (head) was able to walk Monday morning. McCarthy's wife Amanda announced the good news on her personal Twitter account. The A's right-hander is making steady progress after undergoing emergency surgery Wednesday to reliever pressure from his brain. He was moved Sunday from the intensive care unit at Oakland's Summit Hospital to a normal overnight room. And he may soon be allowed to go home.