Zack Gelof's hand injured by spikes, ending 24-game hit streak

SAN FRANCISCO -- Athletics infielderZack Gelof left Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the second inning with a gruesome injury after Matt Chapman stepped on Gelof's right hand during an awkward tag play at second base.

Gelof's injury, which the Athletics said was aright hand laceration and contusion, put a painful end to his 24-game hitting streak, which equaled the longest streak in major league baseball over the past two seasons. The streak is also the sixth longest in Athletics' franchise history.

The injury occurred as Chapman was attempting to stretch an RBI single to a double. The throw from left fielder Tyler Soderstrom beat Chapman by four strides, and Chapman tried to avoid the tag without sliding. Gelof took the one-hop throw on his knees in front of the base and appeared to slip as he reached up to tag Chapman.

Gelof ended up with his right hand on the ground as Chapman reached the base, and Chapman's right foot slammed into Gelof's forearm before landing heel-first, digging into the back of Gelof's hand. Reflexively, Gelof attempted to free his hand, and when he pulled it away, blood from three spike punctures was clearly visible. He immediately jogged off the field in obvious pain.

Gelof was unavailable for comment after the game, but manager Mark Kotsay said X-rays were negative and Gelof did not need stitches.

It has been a resurgent season for Gelof, 26, who left the game hitting .282 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs. After establishing himself as one of the Athletics' budding young stars with an impressive rookie season in 2023, he spent most of 2024 mired in a slump and sat out most of last season because of injuries. He has been the team's most productive hitter in June, hitting .351 with five homers and 12 RBIs during his 24-game hit streak.

Before Tuesday's game, Kotsay said one reason for Gelof's resurgence was a change in his bat-angle approach to the baseball.

"We're seeing a player that resembles the guy that came up and really excited us about [his] future," Kotsay said. "The confidence that he has continues to grow and you see it out there on the baseball field."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.br/]