Dodgers, Russell Martin relieved that girl, 3, who was struck by foul is in good condition after surgery

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The surgery reportedly a success, plans being made for her release from the hospital, Russell Martin sighed and spoke softly.

‘I’m sure she’s still a little bit shaken up,’ Martin said. ‘It’s definitely tough for the whole family, but at least the good news is she’s going to be OK.’

On Monday, Martin was taking pregame batting practice when a drive struck a 3-year-old girl in the head and knocked her unconscious. She was taken to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

She had surgery Tuesday morning. Dr. Gordon McComb, head of neurosurgery at the hospital, said in a statement: ‘The surgery went well and we anticipate a full recovery. We expect she’ll be able to go home by the end of the week.’

It’s the nightmare of every parent taking a child to baseball game, but also of every player.

Martin was visibly shaken Monday after the accident.

‘When it happened, I wasn’t exactly sure how severe it was,’ he said. ‘I know that I hit her in the head, but I didn’t know if she lost consciousness or all that stuff. A fractured skull is pretty bad.

‘But as long as she has a good recovery.… My prayers were with her yesterday and she’s OK today, so that’s a good thing.’

Martin said he spoke to the girl’s dad Tuesday and wanted to meet her later. He would not comment on a report he had offered to pay her medical expenses.

Martin was batting at that time only because Manager Joe Torre had given him his second consecutive day off for the first time all season.

Hitters don’t always watch the ball after it’s hit during batting practice; the next pitch is normally delivered quickly. This one, though, Martin watched.

‘I hit it, and you really don’t pay that much attention, but saw the direction where it was going,’ he said. ‘It had a lot of topspin. It looked like it was going to go into an area where nobody was at, and then it just sunk where the girl’s head was poking out’ and struck her.

Torre said he had spoken several times to Martin since the accident.

‘It is good news when you have a youngster, that the surgery seemed to go well and they’re planning on releasing her from the hospital,’ Torre said. ‘I’m sure that’s a big lift off his shoulders.’

-- Steve Dilbeck