Gelof's Record Streak Halted by Brutal Hand Injury
A promising run for the Athletics' rookie ends in pain after a cleats-first slide by the Giants' Matt Chapman at second base.
A promising run for the Athletics' rookie ends in pain after a cleats-first slide by the Giants' Matt Chapman at second base.
Oakland Athletics infielder Zack Gelof's franchise-record 24-game hitting streak ended not with a whimper but with a brutal, on-field injury Tuesday night, as San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman stepped on his right hand with his cleats during a tag play. The gruesome incident occurred in the second inning when Gelof, covering second base, attempted to apply a tag on a stolen base attempt; Chapman, sliding in, inadvertently drove his spikes directly into Gelof's exposed hand. Gelof immediately left the game in visible pain, his streak halted at 24 games—a significant personal achievement for the young player and a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent Athletics offense.
Reaction from the Athletics clubhouse was one of immediate concern for Gelof's health over the lost streak. Manager Mark Kotsay confirmed the infielder would undergo further evaluation on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury, which could sideline a key contributor. The play itself, while ruled a clean baseball slide by Chapman, underscored the ever-present physical dangers inherent in the sport's routine defensive actions.
What's next: The immediate focus shifts to Gelof's diagnosis and recovery timeline, with the Athletics' already thin lineup facing a potential long-term absence. The incident also reignites conversations about player safety on bang-bang plays at the bag, though no rule changes are imminent. Read at ESPN
This injury is a stark reminder of how quickly a promising individual season and a team's momentum can be derailed by a single, violent moment of contact. For the Athletics, losing Gelof's bat and his record-setting consistency is a major blow to an offense that can ill afford it, potentially impacting their competitive outlook for the coming weeks.
ESPNespn.comBy Tim Keown24 Jun, 5:40en
Struggling Giants face surprising A's in battle for Bay Area bragging rights.
Down 11-4 in the ninth, Oakland rallied to stun the Angels 12-11 in 10 innings.
Oakland scraps near .500 while Los Angeles sinks 16 games under. Game two preview.
Relive the top plays and key moments from the Angels vs. Athletics game in this ESPN highlight reel.
A historic 2026 World Cup goal by Cape Verde against Uruguay was met with a commentary performance that failed to match its monumental significance.
The airline hosted a spirited event for traveling Scottish fans in Boston, turning travel logistics into a branded fan experience ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Miami.
Amid war talk and travel restrictions, Iran's national team provides a rare, unifying escape for fans packing late-night screenings in the capital.
Frustrated by being outnumbered, Quinn Simmons let his legs talk with a final-lap attack for the win, then immediately raised the stakes for July.
Holding the No. 4 and No. 15 picks in a uniquely deep class, Chicago has a franchise-altering opportunity to accelerate its rebuild.
Bleacher Report forecasts where top prospects like James Hagens and Michael Misa could land, previewing the future stars teams will select Friday.
Struggling Giants face surprising A's in battle for Bay Area bragging rights.
Down 11-4 in the ninth, Oakland rallied to stun the Angels 12-11 in 10 innings.
Oakland scraps near .500 while Los Angeles sinks 16 games under. Game two preview.
Relive the top plays and key moments from the Angels vs. Athletics game in this ESPN highlight reel.
Atlanta adds former top prospect Joey Bart to shore up catching depth, sending reliever Hunter Stratton to Pittsburgh in a low-risk move.
A snapped resistance band in the training room has left Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez with a facial injury and his status uncertain for the upcoming series.
Strained elbow sidelines veteran righty, forcing Baltimore to scramble for depth.
Reigning NL Rookie of the Year sidelined with strained right oblique muscle.
One swing was enough as Machado went 2-for-3 to secure a tense 1-0 victory over Atlanta on Monday night.
Despite a solid start and rested arms, the White Sox bullpen falters, handing the Tigers a dramatic win.
The Blue Jays closer found late-night motivation watching South Africa's Ronwen Williams make history.
A Dodgers icon’s blunt reaction to MLB’s Pride cap and Bible-verse rule exposes how athletes are quietly wrestling with league-wide identity politics on the field.
Down 11-4 in the ninth, Oakland rallied to stun the Angels 12-11 in 10 innings.
Arizona's series opener win could shift their season's momentum.
Texas rookie Wyatt Langford hit a tape-measure shot and Scotland fans took over Fenway in a 6-4 win.
Detroit heads to Houston after Zachary Keith's three-homer night, hoping the momentum fuels a win over the Astros.
