The Tulsa Drillers have suspended their “bat dog” program after a bizarre on-field collision left top Dodgers prospect Kendall George with a knee injury earlier this week.
The Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers announced the suspension after Monday’s Memorial Day game, according to The New York Post.
George, the Dodgers’ No. 13 prospect and a 2023 first-round draft pick, appeared to leap out of the way of the team’s bat dog as the animal ran onto the field to retrieve a bat. The outfielder landed awkwardly and injured his knee.
Tulsa Drillers plan to suspend bat dog program after Kendall George knee injury, per @ByJackHarris.pic.twitter.com/CDjKsTGMSg
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) May 27, 2026
The incident was caught on camera, showing George limping after the run-in with the four-legged friend.
Minor league teams have recently started using “bat dogs” as a way to add to the eccentric atmosphere that comes with the minor leagues. Tulsa has been incorporating a dog into game day since 2022, per News On 6. When the Drillers decided to go all in on the “dog days of summer” baseball trend, the team used dogs that were trained to retrieve bats after plate appearances and return them to the dugout.
The dog-induced knee injury that George sustained is an unfortunate setback for a guy who was the fourth minor league player since 2005 to steal 100 bases in a single season while posting a .409 on-base percentage.
This season, George had already stolen a division-leading 26 bases in 43 games while batting .333 for the Drillers. He also leads the Texas League in runs scored with 52.
The timing of the suspension is ironic: Tulsa’s home game Wednesday night against Northwest Arkansas is also the team’s first “Bark in the Park” promotion of the season, where fans are encouraged to bring their canine friends to the stadium.
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