Rockies prospect David Dahl has spleen surgery following collision
Colorado Rockies prospect David Dahl underwent surgery on his spleen following a collision with a New Britain Rock Cats teammate during a Double A game Thursday, according to a report on the team's website.
Dahl sustained a lacerated spleen on the play, but did not break any bones or suffer a concussion, according to the report.
While a Yahoo report indicated Dahl will be out for the remainder of the season, the team's report indicated that there is no timetable for his return.
Dahl will likely have to wear special gear to protect his spleen for the rest of his career, Yahoo reported.
The 21-year-old outfielder, who was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rockies system by Baseball America earlier this year, collided with New Britain infielder Juan Ciriaco while running down a fly ball.
"They're trying to save the spleen," Mike Dahl, David's father, told AL.com Thursday.
"There was a collision between him and the second baseman, and he took a knee to the spleen. They're just trying to save it now. He got hit in the face, the nose, the spleen, a bunch of different places, but that's the main thing right now. He probably has a minor concussion, I would imagine, because he doesn't remember much about what happened. No broken bones or nothing—all the CT scans were negative."
The collision can be viewed below.
Dahl thanked well-wishers for their thoughts and prayers late Thursday on Twitter.
Dahl was drafted by Colorado in the first round in 2012. In 44 games this season, he was hitting .269 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.
- Molly Geary and Will Green