A’s outfielder Zack Gelof sues Detroit Tigers over injury at Comerica Park
Zack Gelof tore his knee open in a slide in a July game in Detroit
Special Projects Producer
DETROIT —
An outfielder for the Athletics is suing the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Stadium Authority over an injury he received in a July 9 game at the ballpark.
Twenty-six-year-old Zack Gelof, a left fielder for the A’s, was chasing a fly ball into foul territory and went into a slide to make the catch. Gelof claimed that after making the catch his right knee hit an exposed metal fence on the wall that protruded into the playing area. The collision tore deep into his knee and caused a large laceration, and he had to be removed from the game.
Gelof said he couldn’t play for approximately 30 days while recovering. He claimed there was insufficient padding or runoff space for an area that players would be likely to go.
Following the game, a Detroit left fielder acknowledged to reporters that the specific area along the foul line was made of metal and “can be quite unforgiving during a hard slide.”
Weeks after the injury, the Detroit stadium added protective padding to the area.
When asked for comment, the Detroit Tigers said, “We are aware of the lawsuit and do not comment on pending litigation.”
Gelof is asking for a judgment that would pay him for his losses along with interest and attorney fees.
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