Harrison Bader scooter crash further injures Giants outfielder's foot
The Giants said Harrison Bader’s injured left foot was further damaged in a weekend scooter crash, putting his return from plantar fasciitis in doubt.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
San Francisco Giants center fielder Harrison Bader’s scooter crash over the weekend has made an already stubborn foot injury worse, the team said Tuesday, raising fresh questions about when he might play again.
Bader, 32, has been sidelined since May 29 because of left plantar fasciitis. According to the Giants, the same foot was hurt again in a crash that happened “Saturday night/early Sunday morning.”
The team said Bader had been due to see a foot and ankle specialist in Indianapolis on Monday, but the crash “complicated” that appointment and “changed the nature of his evaluation.” The Giants did not release details about where the crash happened, how it occurred or whether anyone else was involved.
Bader was scheduled to have an MRI in San Francisco on Tuesday, according to the team.
How long will Harrison Bader be out?
The Giants have not announced a new recovery timetable for Bader. Manager Tony Vitello told reporters Tuesday that the crash could slow a comeback that was already expected to take time.
“I reached out to him, asked him if he was OK,” Vitello said before San Francisco’s 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. “Obviously, he’s not better than he was prior to that. I’ve left the rest up to everybody else, kind of sorting out the details.”
Vitello said there was “a chance” the crash could delay Bader’s recovery, while adding that the outlook already looked difficult before the latest setback.
“Even prior to it, we’re looking at a pretty frustrating and long runway before he could get on the field again,” Vitello said.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is pain and inflammation involving the tissue along the bottom of the foot, often felt near the heel. For a baseball outfielder, it can affect running, cutting, accelerating and moving in the field.
Bader’s absence has already eaten up two months of his season. The latest injury concern comes during his first year with San Francisco after he signed a two-year, $20.5 million free-agent contract.
In 30 games this season, Bader has hit .170 with five home runs and 14 RBIs. He also missed time because of a left hamstring strain that first occurred during spring training, according to ESPN.
ESPN also reported that Bader had a previous scooter-related incident during his college career. In 2014, he was suspended 19 games by the Florida Gators after a scooter crash in which alcohol was allegedly a factor.
Bader has not been quoted publicly on the latest crash in the team’s announcement or ESPN’s report. For now, the Giants are waiting on medical information after Tuesday’s planned MRI, while a return date remains unsettled.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.