The San Francisco Giants have suspended payments to outfielder Harrison Bader while the club continues to investigate a late-night scooter accident that has ended his season.
President of baseball operations Buster Posey addressed the situation in a statement Friday. “Over the weekend, Harrison Bader was involved in an accident that has delayed Harrison’s prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field,” Posey said. “We are still investigating the circumstances of the accident, but will be suspending payment to Harrison until he is able to resume performing services for the club.”
Bader, 32, had already been sidelined since May 29 with left plantar fasciitis. The scooter incident, which occurred early Sunday morning, further damaged the same foot and effectively shut down any chance of a 2026 return. Manager Tony Vitello confirmed earlier this week that Bader would not play again this season, noting the original injury had already made a comeback a long shot.
According to multiple reports, the crash happened around 1:50–2 a.m. near Balboa Cafe in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, an area known for its nightlife. A witness told SFist that Bader’s scooter collided with the rear of a San Francisco Fire Department engine. The truck’s wheel then rolled over Bader’s already injured foot, causing what was described as a major injury. First responders transported him to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Reports also indicated Bader had been drinking at bars in the city earlier that night.
The Giants have not released full details of their investigation or the results of an MRI Bader underwent earlier in the week. Reports from The Athletic suggested Bader has not fully cooperated with the club’s inquiry. Under MLB’s collective bargaining agreement, players are generally prohibited from participating in high-risk activities without written team consent, language that could factor into the team’s review of the situation and Bader’s remaining contract obligations.
Bader signed a two-year, $20.5 million deal with the Giants in January, including a $6 million signing bonus. He appeared in just 30 games this season, batting .170 with five home runs and 14 RBIs before the foot issue landed him on the injured list. The former Gold Glove center fielder was expected to stabilize the Giants’ defense after arriving via free agency.
This is not Bader’s first scooter-related incident. In 2014, while a sophomore at the University of Florida, he was suspended 19 games after crashing a scooter into a parked truck early one morning. Police reports from that incident noted a strong odor of alcohol.
Neither Bader nor the MLB Players Association has publicly commented on the Giants’ decision to suspend payments. The club’s investigation remains ongoing.
