Here are 18 of the strangest injuries in MLB history, from Rickey Henderson’s frostbite to Jeff Kent’s “car wash” controversy. We’ll begin with Martin Perez’s animal-related injury in 2017.
Rangers pitcher fractures elbow after a bull scares him (2017)
Martin Perez fell after being startled by a bull on his ranch in Venezuela, and suffered a fracture in his non-throwing elbow. Perez didn’t miss any time, as the incident occurred in December, and he later revealed that he killed and ate the bull involved.
Kevin Pillar hurts himself sneezing (2015)
The Blue Jays outfielder missed time during spring training in 2015 when he strained an oblique with a particularly powerful sneeze. Sammy Sosa also suffered a sneeze-induced injury in 2004, when “violent sneezes” triggered back spasms.
Former MVP’s car wash/motorcycle controversy (2002)
San Francisco’s Jeff Kent claimed in 2002 that he broke his wrist after falling off of his truck while trying to wash it. The Giants later investigated whether Kent actually suffered the injury in a motorcycle crash while trying to do a wheelie.
Orioles outfielder burns himself in a tanning bed (2002)
Marty Cordova was removed from the Orioles lineup and told to stay out of the sun after he fell asleep in a tanning bed and suffering a burn to his face.
Pitcher breaks arm while trying to scare his children (2013)
In one of the most poorly-planned pranks imaginable, Francisco Liriano broke his arm by slamming a door on himself in an attempt to scare his kids on Christmas. The injury cost him *$11 million* in guaranteed money.
Brewers pitcher tears knee ligament taking off his shoe (2016)
Former Brewers reliever Will Smith tore his LCL while he was balancing on one leg and trying to take off his shoe. Smith twisted his knee while trying to tug on his shoe.
Pitcher hurts himself getting sandwiches (2013)
Rays pitcher Joel Peralta tweaked his neck during spring training in 2013 while getting out of his Camaro on a trip to get some sandwiches.
Pirates outfielder needs stitches following hot tub incident (2015)
Pittsburgh’s Corey Hart required three stitches during spring training after cutting his toe in a hot tub. How he managed to cut himself in a hot tub, we’ll never know.
First baseman misses game after his daughter hit him in the nose (2014)
Angels 1B Ian Stewart missed time during spring training in 2014 after he took a blow to the nose while putting his daughter to bed. He later explained that she accidentally head butted him, and he heard a “crunchy sound.”
Red Sox pitcher misses start due to fishing knife incident (2014)
Jake Peavy was scratched from a scheduled start during spring training after cutting himself with a fishing knife while trying to open a package.
Blue Jays outfielder injured during spider nightmare (1990)
Glenallen Hill crashed through a glass table and landed on the DL after he stumbled through his home trying to escape spiders in a nightmare.
Orioles pitcher hurts himself adjusting a bullpen chair (2016)
Baltimore’s Brian Duensing underwent elbow surgery and missed significant time in 2016 after he injured himself moving a bullpen chair at the Rangers’ Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Rickey Henderson gets frostbite (1993)
The future Hall of Fame missed three games in the 1993 season after falling asleep with an ice pack on his foot.
Braves shortstop hurts himself while jogging onto the field (2017)
Atlanta’s Johan Camargo stumbled over the base path while skipping onto the field before a game against the Phillies in 2017 and hyperextended his knee. He fortunately did not suffer any structural damage to his knee, but missed nearly a month.
Brewers catcher breaks hand in suitcase accident (2012)
Milwaukee’s Jonathan Lucroy suffered a broken right hand after his wife accidentally caused a suitcase to fall on it in their hotel room. Lucroy had been trying to retrieve a lost sock.
Trevor Bauer’s drone goes rogue (2016)
Trevor Bauer suffered a gruesome injury during the ALCS just before one of the biggest games of his life. Bauer sliced his finger while repairing his drone, and the Indians were forced to push back his scheduled start in the series. When Bauer did take the field in Game 3, his stitches split in the first inning, forcing him to leave the game.
Brewers pitcher dislocates shoulder while trying to rip a phone book in half (2004)
There are an *alarming* amount of Brewers on this list. In 2004, reliever Steve Sparks suffered a dislocated left shoulder when he foolishly attempted to tear a phone book in half.
Twins pitcher has a Guitar Hero problem (2006)
Joel Zumaya missed time during the 2006 ALCS after his Guitar Hero habit caused inflammation in his pitching arm.
