Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker stepped on a sprinkler head in right field Tuesday, becoming the latest MLB player to suffer this unusual injury. The Cardinals slugger was tracking a fly ball when the incident occurred, and he was immediately removed from the game after showing signs of discomfort.
Here is footage of the second-inning play where #STLCards RF Jordan Walker is believed to have experienced pain in his left knee while tracking a fly ball. Walker was removed from the game because of that pain and will undergo further evaluation, per the club. pic.twitter.com/2IqhwRvVig
An MRI on Wednesday revealed no structural damage to Walker’s knee. The team plans to sit him for a week before reassessing his status.
Walker isn’t the first notable player to have his career affected by a sprinkler incident. Yankees legend Mickey Mantle famously suffered a severe knee injury in Game 2 of the 1951 World Series when he stepped on either a sprinkler head or drain cover in right field. While Mantle went on to hit 536 home runs, many baseball historians believe the injury limited his speed and overall potential.
The timing is particularly tough for the 6-foot-6 Walker, who’s looking to bounce back from a disappointing sophomore season. After posting a promising .787 OPS as a rookie, his production dropped to a .619 OPS in 2024. He’s started slowly this spring, going 2-for-14 before the injury.
The Cardinals will likely take a cautious approach with the former top prospect as they determine when he’ll return to Grapefruit League action.
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Here is footage of the second-inning play where #STLCards RF Jordan Walker is believed to have experienced pain in his left knee while tracking a fly ball. Walker was removed from the game because of that pain and will undergo further evaluation, per the club. pic.twitter.com/2IqhwRvVig
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 4, 2025
