Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz left Wednesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers after his first plate appearance because of an illness, the club announced, easing initial concerns that the American League All-Star had suffered a hand injury.
The early exit at Comerica Park highlighted how common illnesses, not just physical injuries, can affect player health, performance and availability during Major League Baseball's (MLB) grueling 162-game season.
While fractures, sprains and muscle strains often dominate injury reports, viral infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and other routine ailments can also sideline athletes or diminish their performance.
Even short-lived illnesses can impair reaction time, endurance, hydration and recovery, making them a significant but often overlooked factor in maintaining player health throughout the season.
As the Athletics continue to navigate injuries to several key contributors, Kurtz's departure serves as a reminder that staying healthy in professional sports extends beyond avoiding physical injuries. Managing everyday illnesses is also essential to keeping players on the field.
Illness can sideline even elite athletes
The Athletics announced during the game that Kurtz's exit was illness-related, ending speculation that he had suffered a significant hand injury after an awkward defensive play at first base.
Unlike musculoskeletal injuries, illnesses are often unpredictable. Respiratory viruses, gastrointestinal infections, and seasonal viruses can spread rapidly through locker rooms, airplanes and clubhouses, where players spend long periods in close contact.
Viral infections commonly cause fever, fatigue, muscle aches and dehydration, all symptoms capable of significantly impairing athletic performance even when they are relatively mild.
High-level athletic performance depends on optimal cardiovascular function, muscle coordination and energy production. Even minor infections can temporarily reduce aerobic capacity, slow reaction time and impair decision-making.
Research published in the European Journal of Sports Science has shown that exercising intensely while experiencing systemic symptoms such as fever or significant fatigue may prolong recovery and increase the risk of complications, leading many team medical staffs to recommend rest until symptoms improve.
Dehydration presents another concern.
Vomiting, diarrhea or fever-related fluid loss can reduce blood volume, making it more difficult for muscles to receive oxygen during competition. Even modest dehydration has been associated with declines in endurance, concentration and coordination.
For baseball players, whose sport requires split-second reaction times and explosive movements over nearly every day of the season, those subtle changes may be enough to affect both performance and injury risk.
The 162-game grind leaves little room for recovery
MLB's regular season spans 162 games over roughly six months, with frequent travel across multiple time zones and relatively few extended breaks.
Unlike sports that allow several recovery days between contests, baseball players often compete on consecutive days while managing cumulative fatigue, nagging soreness and occasional illnesses.
Sleep disruption caused by travel can also weaken immune function. Research has found that insufficient sleep is associated with increased susceptibility to viral infections, making recovery especially challenging during long road trips.
Although teams employ nutritionists, athletic trainers and sports medicine specialists to help players maintain their health, avoiding illness entirely is nearly impossible over such a lengthy schedule.
Kurtz's illness comes as the Athletics have already battled multiple health-related setbacks this season.
Several regular contributors have missed time due to injuries, forcing manager Mark Kotsay to adjust lineups and rely on younger players to fill larger roles. The club's pitching staff has also dealt with health concerns that have complicated workload management throughout the season.
More recently, reports indicated that a clubhouse illness may also have affected additional Athletics players, suggesting that contagious illnesses can sometimes spread through a team environment much like they do in schools or workplaces.
Most illness-related absences are short-lived
Fortunately, most viral illnesses resolve within several days with adequate rest, hydration and supportive care.
The Athletics have not indicated whether Kurtz's illness is expected to keep him out beyond Wednesday's game, and no additional details regarding the nature of his condition have been released.
For professional athletes, however, returning too quickly can be counterproductive. Medical experts generally advise that athletes experiencing fever, chest symptoms or significant fatigue avoid high-intensity exercise until they have adequately recovered, reducing both the risk of prolonged illness and potential complications.
As the All-Star break approaches, even a brief absence could provide an opportunity for players like Kurtz to recover fully before the second half of the season.
