SF Giants suspend pay to Harrison Bader after his scooter crash

The San Francisco Giants have suspended payment to outfielder Harrison Bader following a scooter accident that exacerbated an existing foot injury, according to multiple reports. The team’s decision, announced by president of baseball operations Buster Posey, hinges on the incident delaying Bader’s treatment for plantar fasciitis and his return to play.

The accident occurred in San Francisco’s Marina District around 2 a.m. On Sunday, when Bader was involved in a collision involving a motorized scooter. San Francisco police confirmed responding to the scene, where one individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. While Bader was not explicitly named in police reports, the Giants linked the incident to his ongoing medical issues. The team stated that the accident “delayed Harrison’s prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field,” and that payment would be suspended until he could resume performing services for the club.

Bader, 32, had been scheduled to travel to Indianapolis on Monday to meet with a foot and ankle specialist to address his left plantar fasciitis, which has kept him out of action since May 29. The Giants said the accident complicated the appointment, forcing Bader to return to San Francisco for further evaluation by Dr. Ken Akizuki. His medical status remains uncertain, with manager Tony Vitello initially calling his return “a long shot” but later expressing hope he could play again this season.

The Giants’ move cites provisions in Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, which restricts players from engaging in activities deemed potentially injurious without the club’s written consent. The agreement specifically lists skiing, auto racing, motorcycle racing, and skydiving, but the Giants have not explicitly stated whether the scooter accident falls under these restrictions. Posey emphasized that the team is “still investigating the circumstances of the accident” before making further decisions.

Bader signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the Giants in the offseason, including a $4.5 million base salary for this season. He is owed approximately $1.42 million for the remainder of the year. The team has not yet announced whether it will attempt to void the contract, though the suspension of pay suggests financial consequences for Bader. His performance this season has been underwhelming, with a .170 batting average, five home runs, and a .557 on-base plus slugging percentage across 30 games.

The incident marks the second time Bader has faced scrutiny over scooter-related incidents. In 2014, while a college player at Florida, he was suspended after a scooter collision that left him unresponsive and reportedly intoxicated, according to a report from the Gainesville Sun. The Giants’ decision to suspend his pay appears to draw on this history, even as they focus on the recent accident’s impact on his medical condition.

Fire department officials have not commented on the incident, and no details about the scooter’s involvement with other vehicles beyond the initial collision have been confirmed. The Giants have not disclosed whether Bader’s injury will end his season, though his medical timeline remains unclear. The team’s statement leaves open the possibility of future action, stating only that payment will resume when Bader “is able to resume performing services for the club.”