The Tulsa Drillers are a Double A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Luke Hales / Getty ImagesMay 27, 2026 Updated 9:34 pm EDTLOS ANGELES — When Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Kendall George does return from his left knee injury, there won’t be a bat dog on the field, as the Double-A Tulsa Drillers are reportedly suspending their bat dog program.A Drillers spokesman told the California Post on Wednesday that the program would be suspended. A spokesperson for the team did not respond to a message from The Athletic on Wednesday.The Dodgers are still evaluating medicals after George underwent imaging on Tuesday, though league sources told The Athletic the club is bracing for a patellar injury. The sources said the initial read is that George, one of the fastest players in the minor leagues, did not suffer any ligament damage.
Clips of the incident have gone viral, a freak accident at a time when bat dogs have become popular in minor-league baseball.
He also appeared to be limping and was removed from the game after he tried to avoid a collision with the bat dog, which seems important. https://t.co/5DH1BemaFg pic.twitter.com/CzS5GVaqA6
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 26, 2026The Drillers have not played a game since George’s injury. They were off Tuesday and had their game Wednesday postponed due to rain.George, who was the Dodgers’ first-round pick in 2023, suffered the injury in the second inning of Monday’s 14-8 win after coming around to score on Josue De Paula’s single. The dog ran to retrieve De Paula’s bat and, in attempting to avoid the dog, George leapt and landed awkwardly on his left leg. Footage of the game then showed George hobbling back to the dugout, slamming his helmet in frustration.The 21-year-old was the Dodgers’ No. 13-ranked prospect entering the season, per The Athletic’s Keith Law, drawing comparisons to the Tampa Bay Rays’ Chandler Simpson due to his extreme speed. He swiped 100 bases in High-A last season, and had already stolen 26 bases in 43 games for the Drillers this season.
