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Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith leaves game with left knee discomfort after scary collision

Detroit Tigers second baseman Colt Keith collided with right fielder Akil Baddoo while chasing a fly ball in the third inning of Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park.

Keith exited Saturday's game with left knee discomfort.

The severity of his knee injury is unclear.

Detroit Tigers second base Colt Keith (33) throws towards first base Spencer Torkelson (20) against Houston Astros during the third inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
Detroit Tigers second base Colt Keith (33) throws towards first base Spencer Torkelson (20) against Houston Astros during the third inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

Keith tracked a fly ball near the foul line in shallow right field, moving from the infield into the outfield. Meanwhile, Baddoo — who had priority as the outfielder — ran toward the ball, moving toward the infield on his pursuit.

Both players tired to make the catch, but they collided and fell to the grass.

The ball dropped in front of them.

Baddoo sat up almost immediately, but Keith rolled around on the ground before eventually sitting up. First baseman Gio Urshela picked up the ball and threw it into the infield.

Manager A.J. Hinch ran to the outfield alongside three trainers — including head athletic trainer Ryne Eubanks and assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades — to evaluate Keith.

Keith squatted and bent his left knee, only to come out of the game. He walked from shallow right field to the dugout, but he didn't need any help from the trainers. He then went into the clubhouse with Eubanks for further tests.

On the play, Keith was charged with a fielding error.

He has seven errors this season.

The Tigers signed Keith to a six-year, $28.6 million contract, which can be worth up to $82 million over nine seasons, before his first MLB game. As a rookie, the 22-year-old is hitting .215 with two home runs, 13 walks and 36 strikeouts in 57 games.

Keith, a top prospect, is hitting .048 (1-for-21) across six games in June after hitting .091 (1-for-11) in March, .163 (13-for-80) in April and .342 (25-for-73) in May.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith leaves game after scary collision