ANAHEIM  (AP) — Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy has walked a few steps and is making encouraging progress in his recovery from surgery after getting hit in the head by a line drive last week.

A's trainer Nick Paparesta said Monday that McCarthy seems likely to leave the hospital soon.

McCarthy took a few steps with the aid of a handrail Monday, just five days after undergoing two hours of surgery. He has been moved to a transitional care unit in his Bay Area hospital, and Paparesta thinks he might be headed home soon.

Paparesta hasn't visited McCarthy yet, but says others believe the wisecracking, Twitter-happy pitcher is getting back to his old self.

Angels shortstop Erick Aybar's line drive hit McCarthy. Aybar says he's grateful to hear McCarthy is making steady progress.