The San Francisco Giants announced on Wednesday that outfielder Harrison Bader will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to injuries sustained in a scooter accident early Sunday morning.
The team confirmed the injury occurred after Bader’s scooter collided with a San Francisco Fire Department truck at approximately 1:50 a.m. local time. The incident left Bader with a serious injury to his left foot, which required hospitalization. Giants manager Tony Vitello stated that Bader’s pre-existing plantar fasciitis would have likely ended his season regardless, but the crash exacerbated the condition.
Local reports, including from KPIX and SFist, indicated that Bader had been bar-hopping across multiple San Francisco neighborhoods prior to the crash. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Bader was hospitalized at 2:00 a.m. following the incident.
The Giants’ announcement follows earlier speculation about Bader’s availability after the accident. The team had not provided a full update on his status until this confirmation. Bader, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Giants in 2023, has played in just 30 games this season due to injury.
This is not the first time Bader has been involved in a scooter-related incident. While playing for the University of Florida in 2014, he was suspended for 19 games after drunkenly crashing a scooter into a parked truck.
Team Response and Contract Implications
The Giants’ decision to place Bader on the injured list comes amid broader discussions about contractual risks associated with off-field activities. The team’s collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball includes provisions that restrict players from engaging in “high-risk activities” without written consent. Violations can result in fines or contract voidance.
A person briefed on the matter, speaking to The Athletic, suggested that Bader may have been uncooperative with the Giants’ investigation into the incident, potentially due to concerns about the team seeking to void the remainder of his contract. However, the Giants have not publicly addressed these concerns.
The incident echoes a similar situation involving former Giants second baseman Jeff Kent, who in 2002 suffered a wrist injury that required surgery. Kent initially claimed he fell while washing his truck, but 911 calls and eyewitness accounts later revealed he had been riding a motorcycle, performing “popping wheelies.” The Giants’ prohibition on high-risk activities in his contract would have allowed them to void his $6 million deal had he admitted the truth.
Bader’s Career and Team Impact
Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove Award winner, has played for seven MLB teams since debuting in 2017. His tenure with the Giants marks his first season with the club after stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets.
The Giants’ outfield has faced multiple setbacks this season, with Bader’s absence adding to a string of injuries. The team has not yet announced a replacement for Bader on the active roster.