All-Star Luis Arraez was carted off the field Sunday after he suffered a dangerous injury in the San Diego Padres’ game against the Houston Astros.
Arraez collided with Mauricio Dubon near first base after the Astros’ second baseman raced over to cover the bag, and his momentum carried him into Arraez’s running path.
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Dubon joined a cluster of Padres coaches and athletic trainers who immediately checked on Arraez as he lay on the ground in foul territory at Houston’s Daikin Park.
Manny Machado #13 and Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres stand on the field before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on April 09, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Manny Machado #13 and Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres stand on the field before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on April 09, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
Dubon, the second baseman, was covering first base because first baseman Christian Walker left his station to field Arraez’s drag bunt attempt.
The 28-year-old designated hitter was hitting .287 through his first 21 games of the new season after winning three consecutive batting titles with the Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, and Padres, respectively.
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The collision, which occurred on the second play of the game, led to an 11-minute delay as eight men lifted Arraez onto a utility cart. Fans remained silent until Arraez, a fan favorite, was carted off the field to stunned applause down the right field line. Players from both teams appeared stunned, many shaking or lowering their heads.
According to the Padres, Arraez was transported to Houston Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. He was stable, conscious, responsive, and able to move his extremities.
Luis Arraez has been transported to Houston Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. He is currently stable, conscious, responsive, and able to move his extremities.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 20, 2025
Arraez was out on the play, but credited with a sacrifice bunt as Fernando Tatis Jr. advanced to second base. Tatis later scored to give the Padres a 1-0 lead, but Arraez’s sacrifice came at a higher cost than usual.
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The Padres entered the game with a 15-6 record. Their .714 winning percentage is the best in baseball. The Astros, despite a 10-10 record, won the first two games of the series and were looking for a home sweep.
More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
