Minor League Team Suspends Dog After Top Prospect Suffers Injury
The Tulsa Drillers have sidelined their team dog after a top prospect suffered an injury while trying to avoid colliding with the dog.
According to multiple reports, Kendall George, the Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospect with the Double-A Drillers, suffered an injury to his left patellar tendon on Monday in the second inning after jumping out of the bat dog's way, who sprinted out of the dugout to retrieve a bat.
Reports say an MRI revealed no ligament damage, but the video went viral after George was shown limping to the dugout after he apparently landed awkwardly. Once in the dugout, George slammed his helmet in frustration.
The Drillers have been using bat dogs instead of bat boys to retrieve bats for the last five seasons now, so the dog's presence and on-field duties were not strange to anyone on the team.
Still, the Drillers have decided to do away with bat dogs, for now.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gUDIMjydVas
It's unclear how long the dog will be sidelined, but bat dogs are often used at many minor league baseball games. The Drillers' suspension of the dog has sparked controversy, with many siding with the dog.
"So it's the dog's fault for being a good boy yet he's running," one person commented. "Another added, "Didn't see the dog coming? You ran right into him."
As for George, it's also unclear if his injury is serious.
Related: College Baseball Star Opens Up About 'Jerry' -- His Emotional Support Dinosaur
The Dodgers selected him 36th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of high school. Before his injury, the 21-year-old outfielder boasted an impressive .333 batting average. He also had 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts.
Now, for some good dog news.
Fans are smitten with the black Labrador that the UCLA baseball team is raising. His name is Petey.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 5:50 PM.