Tulsa Drillers Suspend Bat Dog Program Following Injury to Dodgers Prospect

<p>The Tulsa Drillers have suspended their "bat dog" program after an incident during a game resulted in knee injury to Dodgers prospect Kendall George. The suspension was announced following the Memorial Day game on May 27, 2026.</p><p>George, ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 13 prospect and a first-round draft pick in 2023, was injured when he attempted to avoid the bat dog that had run onto the field to retrieve a bat. He landed awkwardly, causing the knee injury.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tulsa Drillers plan to suspend bat dog program after Kendall George knee injury, per <a href="https://x.com/ByJackHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ByJackHarris</a>.<a href="https://t.co/CDjKsTGMSg">pic.twitter.com/CDjKsTGMSg</a></p><p>— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) <a href="https://x.com/UnderdogMLB/status/2059694968059404293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2026</a></p></blockquote><p>The incident was recorded, showing George limping after the collision. The use of bat dogs has become popular among minor league teams to enhance the game-day experience. The Drillers have included a bat dog in their games since 2022.</p><p>George's injury is a setback for him, as he was one of four minor league players since 2005 to steal 100 bases in a season while maintaining a .409 on-base percentage. This season, he has stolen 26 bases in 43 games and is batting .333, leading the Texas League in runs scored with 52.</p><p>The suspension coincides with the Drillers' upcoming "Bark in the Park" promotion, where fans are invited to bring their dogs to the game.</p>