Easton, 12, was scheduled to play with his team, Utah’s Snow Canyon, in the Little League World Series on Friday before falling from a bunk bed in the players’ dormitory in Williamsport, Pennsylvania early Monday morning.
dr Oded Goren, who specializes in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, said Easton is making “tremendous strides toward recovery and we expect he’s going to have a really near full recovery.”
The 12-year-old was also moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room and was able to get up, eat and drink on his own, according to a Thursday update posted to an Instagram account set up to provide updates about his condition.
“He communicates more frequently with his mother, father and uncles who were in the hospital with him. His voice is significantly clearer when he speaks!” the post read.
Easton’s father, Jace Oliverson, told CNN his son is “now showing people that miracles happen.”
Derrick Oliverson, Easton’s uncle, told CNN doctors were amazed at his nephew’s recovery.
“Based on the scores and grades they give when a kid comes in with their condition … Statistically Easton should have died and we attribute that 100% to the prayers we’ve received across the country,” he said .
Easton has received many messages of support from around the world. The Brigham Young University football team and Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts submitted videos supporting Easton via Instagram.
“Hey Easton, this is Mookie Betts. I just want you to know that we are praying for you, thinking of you and hope to see you soon my man,” Betts, known as Easton’s favorite player, said on video Wednesday.
Unfortunately, Easton won’t be able to attend Friday’s Little League World Series game, but his little brother Brogan will take his place on the field. Brogan will adopt the nickname “Little T,” according to the Instagram post.
“We could tell Easton about it and he cried and I asked Easton, ‘Are those tears of joy or tears of sadness?’ and he expressed both,” said Oliverson, Easton’s uncle. “He’s happy for his little brother, he’s so heartbroken that he can’t be a part of something every Little Leaguer dreams of.”
Easton’s team is the first from Utah to make the series in the tournament’s 75-year history. Easton’s father will officiate Friday’s game as scheduled, according to his Uncle Derrick.
CNN’s Kevin Dotson contributed to this report. CNN’s Jason Carroll and Carolyn Sung reported from Danville, Pennsylvania. CNN’s Matt Foster reported from London and Amir Vera wrote from Atlanta, Georgia.