Padres' Luis Arraez taken to hospital after collision at first base

Kevin Acee, The San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr 20, 2025

Published in Baseball

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HOUSTON — A scary scene unfolded eight pitches into the Padres' game against the Astros on Sunday night, as designated hitter Luis Arraez was carted off the field after a collision at first base.

The exact nature of his injury was not immediately clear, but Arraez was moving his limbs and gave a thumbs up as he was slowly driven down the right-field line.

The team announced a short while later that Arraez was transported to Houston Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. He was “stable, conscious, responsive and able to move his extremities,” the team said.

Manager Mike Shildt said in an interview on the ESPN telecast conducted before the top of the third inning that Arraez had “a little bit of a cut on his jaw” and there was some concern about the stability of the jaw.

Arraez crumpled to the ground after running directly into Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón, who was covering first on a sacrifice bunt by Arraez. Arraez’s face appeared to smash into Dubón’s shoulder, and the much smaller Arraez fell backward with his eyes closed.

First base coach Dave Macias immediately knelt next to a motionless Aarez, who was lying on his side, as a member of the Astros medical staff bounded out of the nearby dugout. Arraez rolled over on his back as Padres athletic trainers and manager Mike Shildt sprinted from the third base dugout.

Fernando Tatis Jr., who drew a walk to start the game, returned to first, where he joined Dubón, who never left Arraez’s side. Manny Machado, who was on deck, also walked down the first base line, where he and Tatis knelt for several minutes.

Arraez eventually grabbed athletic trainer Mark Rogow’s hand and held it until he was loaded in the cart while strapped to a stretcher board and with a brace on his neck.

Before Arraez was driven off, Shildt leaned over him and patted him on the chest. Arraez reached up and briefly grabbed the back of Shildt’s neck.

Athletic trainer Ricky Huerta accompanied Arraez off the field.

The game resumed after a delay of about 15 minutes.