Steven Souza Jr. Blames Athletics' Muddy Field For Hip Injury

Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. had to leave yesterday’s game against the A’s after sliding into second base during a steal attempt. The injury ocurred when his back foot dug too far into the dirt and caused his body to stretch awkwardly.

Souza was diagnosed with a hip strain after the game, and he was displeased with the field conditions that caused his foot to get caught. Souza told reporters that the infield was “extremely muddy” and that he’d never slid on a surface like that before. From the Tampa Bay Times:

“I don’t know how it got real muddy out there, but it was not okay,” he said. “I’ve never actually slid into a major-league base like that and stuck and felt like I was going deeper in the ground.”

If Souza’s being a little oversensitive, it’s hard to blame him. He had surgery on that same hip in September, and is currently enjoying a career year with 20 homers and an .883 OPS. The prospect of having the rest of the season zapped away by one unfortunate slide is enough to make anyone cranky.

The good news for Souza is that his X-rays were negative, and the Rays don’t play in Oakland again for the rest of the season.

[ Tampa Bay Times]