Padres' Gavin Sheets Avoids Serious Injury After Collision with Wall in San Diego Game Against Pirates

AinvestMonday, Jun 2, 2025 9:43 pm ET
2min read

San Diego Padres left fielder Gavin Sheets avoided a serious head injury after a hard collision with the wall during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sheets, 29, was diagnosed with a head bruise, hip soreness, and jammed wrist and thumb but passed all concussion tests. He leads the team with 34 RBIs and ranks second with 11 homers this season.

San Diego Padres left fielder Gavin Sheets, 29, escaped serious injury after a hard collision with the outfield wall during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sheets, who has been a bright spot for the Padres this season, sustained a head bruise, hip soreness, and a jammed wrist and thumb. Despite these injuries, he passed all concussion tests and was able to travel with the team to San Francisco [1].

Sheets, who was released by the White Sox before the start of Spring Training and signed to a Minor League deal with the Padres, has been a key contributor to the team's offense. He currently ranks second in the team with 11 home runs and leads the team with 34 RBIs this season [3]. His emergence has been one of the biggest highlights of the Padres' season.

The collision occurred in the fourth inning when Sheets attempted to make a play on Adam Frazier's home run. He collided with the padded fence at what he estimated was close to full speed, leaving an imprint on the wall. Sheets spent several minutes on the ground while being evaluated by team trainers before leaving the field under his own power [2]. He was replaced by Brandon Lockridge.

After the game, Sheets was evaluated by the team's medical staff for a trio of injuries: hip soreness, a jammed wrist/thumb, and a head bruise. He also went through standard concussion protocol. "All the testing was good," Sheets said. "Really happy about that. No headaches, sleep went well. … All things considered, pretty fortunate" [1].

Despite the injury, Sheets said he expects to continue playing left field if asked. "I’d expect to be," Sheets said. "I’ll do whatever -- whatever they want me to do. Whatever gets me in the lineup, whatever they need me to do, I’ll do" [1]. Manager Mike Shildt confirmed that Sheets has been improving but is still a bit banged up [3].

The Padres hope their offseason acquisition will recover quickly, as he had been on a tear for the team during May. His eight home runs last month led the Padres, the next closest player being Fernando Tatis Jr. with five [3]. The team will face their next challenge in a division matchup against the San Francisco Giants, with the first of the four-game series scheduled for Monday at 6:45 p.m. PT [4].

References:
[1] https://www.mlb.com/news/gavin-sheets-exits-after-crashing-into-outfield-wall
[2] https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/padres-left-fielder-gavin-sheets-leaves-game-20356085.php
[3] https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/padres_gavin_sheets_sustained_4_injuries_including_one_to_head_in_collision_with_wall/s1_17189_42275687
[4] https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2025/06/01/pittsburgh-pirates-at-san-diego-padres-prediction-pick-for-sunday-6-1-25/

Padres' Gavin Sheets Avoids Serious Injury After Collision with Wall in San Diego Game Against Pirates