Athletics third baseman Zack Gelof has sued the Detroit Tigers over an injury he sustained during a 4-1 loss on July 9 at Comerica Park, according to a Sept. 28 court document filed with the Wayne County (Michigan) Circuit Court.
In addition to the Tigers, Ilitch Holdings Inc. and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority were also named as defendants.
Gelof, 26, was playing left field July 9 when Tigers outfielder Zach McKinstry hit a fly ball into foul territory in the bottom of the third inning. Gelof made a sliding catch to get McKinstry out, running his legs into the stands in a section covered by fencing. After the play, the A's infielder was clearly in pain, holding onto his knee.
A's outfielder Zack Gelof is suing the Detroit Tigers because
he missed games in July and August after injuring his knee sliding into a metal fence pic.twitter.com/h35jDfz23h
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 29, 2026
Gelof's right knee struck an "exposed, dangerous metal-fence on the side wall that protruded into or alongside the playing area" that tore through his uniform and caused a laceration in his kneecap that narrowly missed a patellar tendon, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit says Gelof immediately felt significant pain and did not play the rest of the game. He was placed on the A's 30-day injured list following the collision.
"(The Tigers) knew or should have known that professional baseball players routinely run and slide at high speeds into foul territory while attempting to catch baseballs," the lawsuit says. "Padding and protective measures in an MLB ballpark exist for a reason."
The Tigers declined to comment on the matter, according to theDetroit Free Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network.
"We are aware of the lawsuit and do not comment on pending litigation," the Tigers said in a statement Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The lawsuit described the fence as "exposed" and "rigid" with "sharp metal components capable of causing serious injury." The lawsuit also alleges that there was "insufficient padding or other protective material covering the fencing" and "inadequate clearance or runoff space between the playing area and the fencing."
Tigers left fielder Riley Greene "acknowledged to reporters that the specific area along that wall is made of metal and can be quite unforgiving during a hard slide," the court documents said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A's infielder Zack Gelof sues Detroit Tigers over knee injury
