The Los Angeles Dodgers may be forced to reconsider their use of a bat dog in the minor leagues. During Monday’s game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Dodgers prospect Kendall George may have sustained a serious knee injury after leaping out of the way of the Tulsa Drillers’ bat dog.
The injury occurred in the bottom of the second inning. With George on base, Josue De Paula singled, bringing George home. As George passed the plate and slowed his momentum, the team’s bat dog shot out of the dugout to retrieve De Paula’s bat. The dog came close enough to George that the outfielder felt compelled to jump out of the way.
When he landed, George appeared to injure his knee and was grimacing in pain as he limped near the dugout.
While the Dodgers have yet to announce an injury for George, initial testing was “not that optimistic about George’s outlook,” per The Athletic.
The Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate is one of the few minor-league teams that use a bat dog during games. The dog is tasked with picking up discarded bats on the field and bringing them back to the dugout. The Trenton Thunder — a minor-league affiliate of the New York Yankees — are known for using a bat dog.
George, 21, was off to an excellent start in his first taste of Double-A. Through 43 games, the outfielder is hitting .333/.417/.397. He’s also racked up 26 stolen bases.
George, who was selected by the team in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, has steadily worked his way up through the minor leagues, flashing elite speed and high batting averages during his ascent.
Given that most of his value derives from his legs, a knee injury would be a devastating outcome for George and the team. Had he continued to play well in the minors, George had an outside shot at reaching the majors this season.
Now, he could be looking at a lengthy stint on the injured list thanks to a freak incident.
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