The Los Angeles Dodgers made franchise and MLB history in Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins, but in addition to failing to complete a season series sweep, also had multiple players get nicked along the way.
The most serious of which was Kristopher Negrón, who gave chase to a ball hit into the right-center field gap. He came up empty on an attempt at a diving catch and was slow to get on one knee after making contact with the ground.
Negrón immediately began bleeding from his nose and was removed from the game after being checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer.
According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, the utility man was later diagnosed with cuts and bruises but passed a concussion test and otherwise avoided serious injury:
Per the #Dodgers, Kristopher Negrón, left the game with a forehead contusion & nose contusion and abrasion.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 15, 2019
Negrón went through concussion protocol & x-rays. All negative.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 15, 2019
Negrón himself was in good spirits and able to laugh about the incident.
Thank you to everyone who reached out! Face is a bit scratched up, but I’ll be good to go. Good thing I’m already funny looking as it is!
— Kristopher Negrón (@KNegs17) August 15, 2019
One inning before Negrón’s early exit, Cody Bellinger was struck in the midsection by the throw on his stolen base. Bellinger winced and grabbed at the region as an immediate reaction but remained in the game. Shortly after, Will Smith was struck by a foul tip in the same area.
Negrón went 0-for-2 prior to being replaced in the fifth inning of the 13-7 loss. It was a bit of an eventful series for the 33-year-old, as his single in the ninth inning on Tuesday prevented the Dodgers from making history for each of their hits going for extra bases.
More importantly, Negrón’s ability to generally remain healthy is key for the Dodgers as they still await the returns of Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor.
Taylor started a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, and Hernandez is expected to begin his this weekend. It’s plausible neither is activated off the 10-day injured list for at least another week.
