San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arráez was taken by stretcher from the Daikin Park field in Houston and to an area hospital after a collision at first base with the Astros’ Mauricio Dubón in the first inning of Sunday night’s game.
Arráez later returned to the stadium after the Padres had defeated the Astros, 3-2.
Arráez, the second batter of the game, hit a ground ball wide of first base, where Christian Walker fielded it and tossed to Dubón covering the bag. Dubón’s footwork led him into the middle of the base and as Arráez hit the bag at full speed, his neck struck Dubón’s upper body and forearm.
Arráez, a three-time batting champion, immediately fell to the ground without breaking his fall.
The game was delayed for 11 minutes as trainers and medical staff examined Arráez, and his upper body was stabilized as they moved him from the ground to a cart that transported him off the playing surface.
The Padres announced Arráez was taken by ambulance to Houston Methodist Hospital, where he was alert and responsive, and had movement in his extremities.
Arráez, 28, was batting .287 entering Sunday with three home runs, nearly equaling his 2024 output of four. He was acquired by the Padres in trade from the Miami Marlins last May and won the AL batting title in 2022 with the Minnesota Twins before winning the NL title the past two seasons with the Marlins and Padres.
All the players and the plays: Sign up for USA TODAY’s Sports newsletter.
(This story was updated to add new information.)