Athletics infielder Zack Gelof has sued the Detroit Tigers after he suffered a gruesome injury during a game at the team’s ballpark.
Gelof suffered the injury during the A’s game at the Tigers on July 9 when his right knee slammed into a Comerica Park fence.
The baseball star has now filed a lawsuit against the Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority for damages.
He suffered ‘a severe laceration beneath his right kneecap,’ according to the suit, which claims that the injury will adversely impact his future earnings.
‘We are aware of the lawsuit and do not comment on pending litigation,’ the Tigers said in a statement on Tuesday.
Gelof was hurt in the third inning of a 4-1 loss to the Tigers this summer while making a sliding catch in foul territory and colliding with a metal fence.
Athletics outfielder Zack Gelof has sued the Detroit Tigers after he suffered a gruesome injury
Gelof suffered a ‘severe’ cut to his right knee during a July game against the Tigers in Detroit
The 26-year-old’s lawsuit claims that the injury will adversely impact his future earnings
The 26-year-old infielder immediately grabbed his knee in obvious pain, a tear in his uniform pants showed where his leg made contact with the fence.
He was left with a deep cut under his right knee cap, just missing the tendon, and didn’t play again until August 10 – missing 30 games of the regular season.
‘This injury could have been easily prevented through the most basic and inexpensive design,’ said Gelof’s attorney, Jon Marko.
‘It doesn’t take a stadium design expert to realize that sharp metal fencing in an area where players are required to slide and play around is a recipe for disaster like the one that occurred here.
‘All they had to do was put cheap padding up like they did after Zack was injured and this entire incident could have been avoided. My son’s little league diamond is safer.’
Gelof’s lawsuit contends that his missed time through the injury this season will result in future lost earnings in salary arbitration.
He earned $820,000 in 2026 and is coming off an impressive season with this offseason marking the first year that he will be eligible for a raise.
Gelof hit .256 with 22 homers and 55 RBIs – both career highs – in 111 games during his fourth season. The A’s finished the season 64-98, putting them ahead of only the Los Angeles Angels and the Colorado Rockies in the majors.
