RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesLos Angeles Dodgers minor-league outfielder Kendall George announced on social media that he underwent surgery on his left knee that was injured in a mishap with their Double-A affiliate’s bat dog.
George posted a picture from his hospital bed on an Instagram story with text saying, “New knee for the kidddd 😏” and adding “Bat dog: 1, KG: 0”
Dodgers prospect Kendall George posted on Instagram that he is having knee surgery. More: https://t.co/yxoSZGGBO3 pic.twitter.com/WhWYL9MMOk
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 7, 2026
The injury was sustained in late May during a May 25 game between the Dodgers’ Tulsa Drillers affiliate and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. In the second inning, George came in to score on a Josue De Paula single. As George crossed home plate and began to slow down, the Drillers’ bat dog bolted out of the dugout to retrieve De Paula’s bat.
But the dog ran close enough to George that he jumped away to avoid a collision. In doing so, he landed awkwardly and appeared to injure his left knee. Cameras caught George limping toward the dugout steps and throwing down his helmet in anger over what happened.
The Dodgers fear Kendall George suffered a significant left knee injury on Monday night while trying to avoid the bat dog, per @TheAthletic . George ranks No. 9 in Los Angeles’ system. (🎥 @ChadMoriyama ) pic.twitter.com/inTUB2rdXg
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 27, 2026
George underwent an MRI following the game and no ligament damage was discovered. But a second opinion on the results was solicited with the hope that George wouldn’t need surgery. In light of the incident, the Drillers suspended their bat dog program .
The 21-year-old center fielder returned to play after missing a month and registered 10 stolen bases in 17 games, according to The Athletic.
Last Saturday, with the MLB trade deadline three days away, George was scratched from the lineup which fueled speculation that he could be part of a deal involving pitcher Tarik Skubal. As it turns out, teammate Zyhir Hope, who was also pulled from the Drillers’ lineup, went to the Detroit Tigers with two other prospects in a trade going through that night.
The Drillers initially told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya that George was out of the lineup due to soreness. But on Tuesday, George was placed on the injured list .
George was the Dodgers’ 2023 first-round pick (No. 36 overall) out of Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas. Ranked by MLB.com as the organization’s No. 11 prospect , he began this season with the organization’s Single-A affiliate briefly before being promoted to Tulsa.
In 55 games, George recorded a .332/.418/.399 slash average with 33 stolen bases. Last year, he totaled 100 steals for the Dodgers’ high Single-A affiliate and came into this season ranked No. 13 among the team’s prospects by The Athletic’s Keith Law.
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