Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Kendall George has not appeared in a game for Double-A Tulsa since May 25 after he exited early due to an injury suffered while attempting to avoid a bat dog.
The injury was later classified as a left patellar tendon issue. Despite the knee injury, George was never placed on the injured list and instead has been rehabbing at team’s Spring Training complex and is on track to return after All Star break, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
#Dodgers OF prospect Kendall George has been rehabbing at team's AZ complex and is on track to return after All Star break. George suffered a patellar tendon injury in Double-A when he jumped out of the way of a bat-retrieving dog and landed awkwardly. Surgery was not needed
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 22, 2026
The young prospect suffered the injury while trying to avoid a bat-retrieving dog, which caused him to land awkwardly on his leg.
The Dodgers were initially concerned George suffered a significant knee injury, but the situation was not as dire as they feared.
A substantial lower body injury of any kind would have been disastrous for the 21-year-old, who has been thriving in his third full season in the Dodgers farm system. He is batting a career-best .333/.417/.397 with 26 stolen bases this season.
It was especially important for George that he avoid a series injury to his lower half given how important speed is to his game. Last season, George swiped 100 bags with an 80.6% success rate in 111 games.
The Tulsa Drillers’ bat dog program was not so lucky. The team suspended the program indefinitely following the incident involving George.
The Drillers have used bat dogs over the last five seasons and the program became a hit with the fanbase. The team only let the dogs out for Friday home games and holidays, with George’s injury occurring on Memorial Day.
Although this incident will cost George multiple months of the season, it is far from the worst-case scenario. It is still a disappointing outcome for his development given how well he was performing in 2026.
Kendall George prospect ranking
Selected by the Dodgers the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, George is one of the many highly-regarded outfield prospects in the system. MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the team’s No. 13 prospect.
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