The San Diego Padres’ recent game took a dark turn early when Luis Arráez collided hard at first base and lay motionless on the grass. With an already injury-depleted roster, the Padres now face an even greater test.
Padres Confirm Luis Arráez Is Stable and Responsive
Against the Houston Astros at Petco Park, Padres star infielder Arráez suffered a frightening injury after colliding at first base with Astros infielder Mauricio Dubón.
Following the game, the team shared an official update via X.
“Luis Arraez has been transported to Houston Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. He is currently stable, conscious, responsive, and able to move his extremities.”
The collision happened in the first inning after Fernando Tatis Jr. walked against Astros pitcher Framber Valdez. Arráez, batting second, laid down a sacrifice bunt. Christian Walker, Houston’s first baseman, fielded the ball on the right side and threw it to Dubón, who was covering first.
According to manager Mike Shildt, who spoke to Houston Chronicle reporter Matt Kawahara after the game, “He did have a period where he wasn’t aware of where he was, so that’s clearly concerning.”
Shildt said Arráez’s head and neck were secured in a brace before he was carted off the field.
As Dubón ran to the bag, his elbow hit Arráez in the chin. Arráez then fell and lay on the ground. Play stopped for 11 minutes while medical staff treated him. He gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was taken off through a gate in the right-field corner.
Tatis, who witnessed the incident, told Steve Schaeffer of MLB.com, “As soon as they called timeout, I went to see my boy just to see what was going on. It’s a sad moment, especially getting close with him and seeing him on the ground like that.”
Shildt added in his postgame press conference, “We think he’s for the most part out of the woods. Time will tell, but the initial testing is very favorable. No fractures of any sort. A little bit of laceration on his jawline, so we’re worried about his jaw, clearly his cervical region.”
He continued, “We’ve been burned on testing before, so we’ll be cautiously optimistic. He did have a period [on the field] where he wasn’t aware of where he was, so that’s clearly concerning, but everything’s coming back to him now, and his initial testing from a concussion standpoint is favorable. All things considered, it’s a blessing.”
The team’s medical staff told Arráez to focus on recovery and not speak to reporters right after the game. Still, he was later seen talking with Dubón outside the clubhouse, which many took as a positive sign.
Dubón described the play by saying, “I tried to stay on the bag, and it was full speed. I just braced myself and closed my eyes. I couldn’t move anywhere, anything. So that’s why I just tried to take it.”
He said he felt bad and stressed the incident wasn’t intentional.
With three straight batting titles from 2022 to 2024 and strong offensive numbers, Arráez is a key player. With Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, Brandon Lockridge, and Jason Heyward already sidelined, the Padres are feeling the pressure.