The San Francisco Giants have taken disciplinary action against outfielder Harrison Bader, halting his compensation after a recent scooter mishap aggravated a prior foot ailment. This decision follows the revelation that Bader's scooter collided with a fire truck, worsening his plantar fasciitis, an injury that had already kept him off the field since late May. The organization is currently reviewing the specifics of the incident.
On Friday, the San Francisco Giants officially announced the suspension of payments to their outfielder, Harrison Bader. This action was taken just hours after reports surfaced detailing Bader's scooter collision with a fire truck, an event that reportedly exacerbated a pre-existing foot injury. The team had previously confirmed that Bader was involved in an accident the previous weekend, which negatively impacted his left foot, specifically plantar fasciitis, an injury that has sidelined him since May 29th. Once the full details of the scooter incident became public knowledge, the Giants proceeded with the decision to withhold his pay.
Buster Posey, the Giants' president of baseball operations, released a statement confirming the situation: "Over the weekend, Harrison Bader was involved in an accident that has delayed Harrison's prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field." Posey further clarified the team's stance, stating, "We are still investigating the circumstances of the accident, but will be suspending payment to Harrison until he is able to resume performing services for the club." This move underscores the team's concern over the player's off-field activities affecting his recovery and availability.
Bader, who is 32 years old, had recently met with a foot and ankle specialist in Indianapolis to assess the recovery of his plantar fasciitis. However, the team indicated that the consequences of the scooter accident "changed the nature of his evaluation," suggesting a more complicated recovery process than initially anticipated. Bader had signed a two-year contract worth $20.5 million before the current season, and reports indicate that he is still owed approximately $1.42 million for the remainder of the season. The team has scheduled an MRI to gain a clearer understanding of the severity of the new injuries resulting from the scooter incident.
According to TMZ Sports, the scooter crash took place in San Francisco around 1:50 a.m. local time on Sunday morning. A witness described the collision, stating that Bader's scooter struck the rear of a San Francisco Fire Department vehicle, causing the scooter's wheel to roll over his foot. The fire department corroborated the event, confirming that a patient was transported to a local hospital, fortunately with non-life-threatening injuries.
Before this latest setback, Bader's performance this season, his first with the Giants, included a .170 batting average, five home runs, and 14 RBIs across 30 games. He had previously missed time this season due to a hamstring injury. Over his ten-season career, which includes stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, and Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Giants, Bader holds a career batting average of .244 with 93 home runs and 336 RBIs in 954 games.
In summary, the San Francisco Giants have decided to suspend outfielder Harrison Bader's salary after a scooter accident exacerbated his existing foot injury, further delaying his anticipated return to play. The team is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, which occurred over the weekend when Bader's scooter reportedly collided with a fire truck. This new setback complicates his recovery from plantar fasciitis, raising questions about his contractual obligations and future availability, especially given his recent struggles with injuries and performance this season.
