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Athletics player sues Detroit Tigers after injury in July at Comerica Park

By FOX 2 Staff
FOX 2 Detroit
Sports
Updated September 29, 2026 6:18 AM PDT Published September 28, 2026 7:39 PM PDT

The Brief

    • MLB player Zack Gelof has filed a 16-page lawsuit against the Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority.
    • Gelof says while making a sliding catch, he allegedly struck his right knee against exposed metal fencing along the side wall.
    • He argues that the metal fencing was sharp, exposed and not protected in an area where players are expected to run or slide

DETROIT (FOX 2) - An MLB player is suing the Detroit Tigers after an injury at Comerica Park in July.

Zack Gelof sues the Detroit Tigers

DETROIT, MI - JULY 09: Athletics left-fielder Zack Gelof (20) grabs his leg after sliding into the railing trying to catch a foul ball during game between Athletics and Detroit Tigers on July 9, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dr

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Zack Gelof, a 26-year-old player for the Athletics, has filed a 16-page lawsuit against the Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority. He says he was injured while playing against the Tigers at Comerica Park when he attempted to catch a fly ball while in left field in the third inning. 

Gelof says while making a sliding catch, he allegedly struck his right knee against exposed metal fencing along the side wall.

The lawsuit says that the collision tore his uniform and caused a deep laceration beneath his right kneecap that missed his patellar tendon. He was removed from the game shortly after.

Gelof argues that the metal fencing was sharp, exposed and not protected in an area where players are expected to run or slide while attempting to make plays.

The complaint specifically alleges:

  • Insufficient padding.
  • Inadequate space between the playing area and the fence
  • Sharp metal
  • A risk of players colliding with the structure
  • Failure to repair, redesign or relocate the fencing
  • A failure to warn players about the supposed hazard

What the lawsuit claims happened after

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 09: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics leaves the game after crashing into the wall in foul territory making a catch during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 09, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Pho

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The complaint also claims the Tigers knew or should have known that a player could collide with the fencing.

"Professional stadiums and ballparks have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that their playing surfaces and surrounding structures are reasonably safe for the athletes whose talent and performance drive the sport and league revenues," Marko Law said in a press release. "The lawsuit seeks to hold Defendants accountable for allowing a foreseeable hazard to remain in the field of play and to recover the full measure of Gelof’s physical, professional, and economic damages."

The lawsuit then argues that protective padding was installed over the area after the incident.

Gelof says he was forced to miss 30 days of work and games due to his injury.

The lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court on Monday, Sept. 28.

DETROIT, MI - JULY 09: Athletics Zack Gelof (20) slides into the railing trying to catch a foul during game between Athletics and Detroit Tigers on July 9, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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The Source: FOX 2 used information from Marko Law and a copy of the lawsuit for details in this report.

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