HOUSTON — In a dramatic turn of events during Sunday night’s game, San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez was carted off the field after a harrowing collision at first base, but the situation has since evolved into a relief for the team and fans alike. The Padres narrowly defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 at Daikin Park, avoiding a series sweep while grappling with the uncertainty surrounding Arraez’s health.
The incident occurred in the first inning when Arraez attempted a drag bunt, grounding the ball down the first-base line. As he sprinted to first, he collided with Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón, who was covering the base. The impact was severe, with Arraez’s neck striking Dubón’s upper body and forearm, causing him to crumple to the ground without breaking his fall.
Arraez lay motionless for several minutes, prompting a swift response from medical personnel from both teams. The game was delayed for approximately 11 minutes as trainers stabilized Arraez’s upper body and prepared him for transport. He was eventually placed on a stretcher and taken to Houston Methodist Hospital, where he was reported to be alert, responsive, and able to move his extremities.
“Best-case scenario with Luis,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said after the game. “Obviously, very scary. We think he’s for the most part out of the woods. More time will tell, but the initial testing is very favorable. No fractures of any sort. He did have a little bit of a laceration on his jawline, so we are worried about his jaw and cervical region.”
Despite the initial concerns, Arraez returned to the stadium postgame, where he was seen chatting with teammates and sharing a moment of relief with Dubón. “It was scary just watching him not move,” Dubón said. “Especially when people know the type of player I am. I’m not a dirty player or anything, so it sucks. Worst part about it is you get death threats from stuff like this and everything.”
Fernando Tatis Jr., who scored all three of the Padres’ runs, was visibly shaken by the incident. “It’s a sad moment, especially getting close to him and seeing him on the ground like that,” Tatis said. “You definitely get scared. You almost go into tears but holding up. Just happy he’s back with us already.”
The Padres managed to secure the victory thanks to a strong performance from Tatis, who not only scored the first run of the game but also hit a tie-breaking home run in the seventh inning. Gavin Sheets, who replaced Arraez in the lineup, contributed with an RBI single in the third inning, further solidifying the team’s win.
Entering the game, Arraez held a batting average of .287 with three home runs and seven RBIs this season. He has been a key player for the Padres since being acquired from the Miami Marlins last May, where he previously led the league in hitting. The 28-year-old has won three consecutive batting titles with three different teams, a remarkable feat that highlights his skill and consistency.
After the game, Shildt expressed cautious optimism about Arraez’s health, noting the importance of the initial testing results. “We’ve been burned before on testing, so we will be cautiously optimistic,” he said. “He did have a period where he wasn’t aware of where he was, so that’s clearly concerning. Everything is coming back to him now, and his initial testing from a concussion standpoint was favorable.”
The Padres are already dealing with injuries to several key players, including Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, Jason Heyward, and Brandon Lockridge, all of whom are currently on the injured list. If Arraez were to miss extended time, it would further complicate the team’s efforts as they aim to maintain their strong start to the season.
With the win, the Padres improved their record to 16-6, showcasing their resilience in the face of adversity. They will continue their road trip with a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers starting Monday, April 21, 2025.
As the Padres move forward, the focus will be not only on their upcoming games but also on the health and recovery of Luis Arraez. The team and its fans will be hoping for good news in the coming days as they rally around their teammate.
