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MLB Star Harrison Bader Suffers Freak Accident That Ends His Season
San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader will not play again this season after a late-night scooter accident reportedly worsened an existing foot injury. Bader allegedly crashed into the back of a fire truck early Sunday morning in San Francisco before the vehicle ran over the same foot that had already been affected by plantar fasciitis. Although the complete circumstances surrounding the accident remain unclear, multiple witnesses reportedly claimed the MLB player had been drinking at different bars before the collision.
According to SFist, Bader rode his scooter into the back of a fire truck in one of San Francisco’s popular nightlife districts. The outlet reported that the fire truck subsequently ran over his already injured foot, “causing major injury.”
The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed that a patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police also acknowledged that officers responded to a report of an individual needing assistance.
However, officials have not publicly provided a complete account of how the crash occurred. Local television station KPIX cited multiple witnesses who claimed Bader had been seen drinking at bars across the city before the incident. It remains unclear whether alcohol played any role in the collision.
Giants Confirm The Outfielder’s Season Is Over
Giants manager Tony Vitello confirmed Thursday that Bader would not return to the field this season. “I think that would have been a long shot to begin with,” Vitello said when discussing the possibility of Bader playing again before the season ended.
The 32-year-old was already facing a difficult recovery from plantar fasciitis when the scooter accident further complicated his condition. The Giants said Bader’s scheduled appointment regarding his existing injury was “complicated” by the collision and that the “impact of the injury changed the nature of his evaluation.”
Bader was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the full extent of the new damage. However, Vitello said Thursday that those results were not yet available.
Before the scooter crash, Bader’s recovery timeline was already expected to be lengthy. “Obviously he’s not better than he was prior to that,” Vitello said. “It’s gonna delay; there’s a chance it could delay whatever the recovery process is for him. But even prior to it, we’re looking at a pretty frustrating and long runway before he could get on the field again.”
Bader had previously sought outside medical assistance as he attempted to address the persistent plantar fasciitis. Despite those setbacks, Vitello said as recently as Friday that he still expected Bader to return at some point during the season. The accident ended that possibility and brought his first year in San Francisco to an abrupt conclusion.
The outfielder had also missed time earlier in the season because of a hamstring strain.
Harrison Bader Struggled During His First Giants Season
Bader joined the Giants after signing a two-year, $20 million contract during the offseason. The team hoped his defensive ability would strengthen its outfield while his experience as a right-handed hitter would give the lineup additional depth. However, injuries limited him to just 30 games and 111 plate appearances.
Bader finished the season with a .170 batting average, a .198 on-base percentage, and a .358 slugging percentage. He recorded 18 hits, five of which were home runs, including two grand slams. His .170 batting average and .557 OPS were both career lows. He also failed to record a stolen base and finished with a 54 OPS+, which adjusts for the pitcher-friendly conditions at Oracle Park.
The disappointing numbers, combined with his continued health problems and unusual off-field injury, made for a difficult first season with the organization.
Giants Have Not Ruled Out Potential Discipline
The team may also consider taking disciplinary action against Bader after learning more about the circumstances surrounding the accident. Some MLB contracts contain provisions restricting players from using motorized scooters because of the possibility of injury. However, scooters have become a common mode of transportation around major-league clubhouses, including San Francisco’s.
Vitello said that any decision about possible punishment “wouldn’t be up to me.” “But,” he continued, “I don’t know the circumstances. Depending on what those are, I wouldn’t rule any of that out. … The front office is sorting through all that other stuff.”
While alcohol has not been confirmed as a factor in Sunday’s incident, Bader previously faced disciplinary consequences involving another scooter accident during college. He was reportedly suspended for 19 games while attending the University of Florida after allegedly crashing a scooter into a parked car while intoxicated.
For now, the Giants are awaiting more information about Bader’s injury and the events surrounding the early-morning crash. What is certain is that his first season in San Francisco is officially over.
