Alek Thomas Escapes Serious Injury in Mascot Scooter Collision

During a Triple-A game between the Sacramento River Cats and the Oklahoma City Comets at Sutter Health Park, Dodgers outfielder Alek Thomas collided with the River Cats mascot, Dinger, who was riding a scooter as part of a Christmas‑in‑July celebration. Both Thomas and the mascot fell to the ground, but Thomas suffered no serious injury and continued to play, later appearing in the lineup for the Comets’ next game.

The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, occurred as Thomas emerged from the visitor’s dugout and entered a crosswalk on the field. The mascot, dressed in a Santa hat and coat, was moving downhill on the scooter when the collision happened. Thomas was 0‑for‑4 in the game, which ended 11‑0 in favor of the River Cats, but the focus remained on the unusual on‑field accident rather than the result.

The Dodgers organization, which acquired Thomas from the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in the season, reiterated their confidence in his defensive abilities and potential for offensive improvement. Thomas, who also represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, remains a member of the Dodgers’ depth chart.