Tyler Callihan injury update: Reds OF collides with wall, suffers gruesome injury vs. Braves
Context:
During a game against the Braves, Cincinnati Reds rookie Tyler Callihan, playing as a left fielder though primarily a second baseman, suffered a severe injury after colliding with the outfield wall while chasing a line drive hit by Matt Olson. The incident occurred in the bottom of the third inning, as Callihan attempted to make a catch but ended up disappearing from camera view and was later seen writhing on the ground in pain. Despite the injury, the umpires did not make an immediate call, allowing Olson and Austin Riley to score. Cincinnati challenged the play, but replays showed that Callihan did not maintain control of the ball long enough for it to be ruled a catch. Callihan left the field with his injured wrist tucked into his jersey and was replaced by Blake Dunn, as the crowd and those watching expressed concern over the graphic nature of the injury.
Dive Deeper:
Tyler Callihan, a rookie for the Cincinnati Reds, was playing left field in a game against the Atlanta Braves, despite being primarily a second baseman, due to the team's surplus of infielders. The game marked only the fourth of his MLB career, with family members present to watch him play.
In the third inning, Braves first baseman Matt Olson hit a line drive to left field, prompting Callihan to chase it down. As he neared the wall, he disappeared from camera view and subsequently was found on the ground, evidently injured from a collision with the wall.
The severity of the incident was highlighted by the absence of an immediate umpire call, allowing the play to continue live, which enabled Olson and Austin Riley to score while Callihan was incapacitated on the field.
A challenge by Cincinnati claimed that Callihan had successfully caught the ball, but replays revealed that the impact with the wall dislodged the ball from his glove, negating the catch.
Despite the serious nature of the injury, which was visibly gruesome and prompted reactions from the crowd and broadcast audience, Callihan managed to leave the field under his own power, albeit with his wrist tucked into his jersey.
Blake Dunn replaced Callihan in the game following the incident, as attention was drawn to the rookie's welfare and the implications of his injury for the team.
The incident was reported by Teddy Ricketson, a digital content producer at The Sporting News, who noted the dramatic and concerning nature of the injury and the subsequent game developments.
The Reds are playing a four-game series against the Braves in Atlanta. In the first game of the series, Cincinnati lined up with rookie left fielder Tyler Callihan starting in left field.
Callihan is listed as a second baseman, but like many of the Reds' surplus of infielders, has been forced to adapt and play a different position. The 24-year-old recently debuted, and Monday night was the fourth game of his career. Callihan is from Jacksonville, Florida, and was said to have several family members make the trip up to Atlanta to watch him play.
Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario happened for the rookie. In the third inning, he was chasing a line drive toward the wall and collided with it. Here's what happened.
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Tyler Callihan injury update
Braves first baseman Matt Olson was up to bat in the bottom of the third inning. Atlanta had already scored two runs in the inning. Olson sent a line drive to left field, and Callihan took off after it. It looked like he had caught it, but he disappeared out of the camera's view when he got close to the wall.When the camera cut, Callihan was writhing on the ground, having suffered an apparent injury. The best guess was that he ran full force into the wall and his wrist or elbow suffered a severe injury. While he was lying on the ground in pain, the umpires didn't make a call, so the ball was still live.
Unfortunately, while he was down, Olson and Austin Riley, who was on base, came all the way around to score.
Matt Olson circles the bases, but Reds rookie Tyler Callihan was in some serious pain trying to make the play. Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/UhcyaJuadG
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 6, 2025 Cincinnati challenged that Callihan had made the catch as trainers went out to tend to him. The broadcast showed one replay, and one was shown to the crowd in person, who instantly groaned. The replay looks gruesome and is not for the faint of heart, as his arm smashed into the wall.
Forewarning, the injury is graphic. You can see it here.
The call stood as they couldn't find an angle showing that he held onto the ball long enough to be a catch before the wall dislodged it from his glove.
Callihan left the field under his own power, but did so with his injured wrist tucked into his jersey. He was replaced in the game by Blake Dunn.