Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Kendall George may have suffered a potentially serious knee injury during a Double-A game while attempting to avoid contact with a bat dog on the field.

The incident occurred during a game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, when George was on base following a sequence in which teammate Josue De Paula drove him home with a single.As George crossed home plate and began to slow down near the dugout area, the Tulsa Drillers’ bat dog ran onto the field to retrieve a discarded bat.The dog came close enough that George instinctively jumped to avoid it.Upon landing, he appeared to injure his knee and was seen grimacing in pain while limping toward the dugout.Medical evaluations later indicated that an initial MRI did not show ligament damage, which provided some early optimism.

However, team officials and the Dodgers are still awaiting a second medical opinion to fully assess the severity of the injury and determine whether surgery will be necessary.There is also discussion that the minor league team may suspend its bat dog program following the incident.George, 21, has been performing strongly in his first Double-A season, batting .333 with a .417 on-base percentage and .397 slugging percentage through 43 games, along with 26 stolen bases.

Known for his elite speed and contact hitting, he was selected in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft and has quickly progressed through the Dodgers’ farm system.The injury is concerning given that much of his value comes from his speed and base-running ability.