Most Bizarre Injuries in Spring Training History

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Injuries happen in the world of baseball.

However, some athletes have taken it one step further with freak injuries before or during spring training.

This year, that distinction goes to Boston Red Sox prospect Bryce Brentz, who shot himself in the leg while cleaning his gun.

Brentz is the No. 7 rated prospect in the Red Sox system and is expected to make the step up to the MLB this year.

After shooting himself, the Red Sox may want to rethink that.

Here's a look at some of the other bizarre injuries that happened during spring training.

Jeff Kent Breaks Wrist

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Jeff Kent broke his wrist washing his truck on March 1, 2002. Or that's the story he told.

Let that sink in for a minute.

According to Kent, he climbed up on his truck and slipped. Six feet later, his hand broke his fall and his wrist was broken.

However, later reports indicated that Kent broke his wrist while popping wheelies on his motorcycle. The reason Kent lied was likely due to the fact that riding a motorcycle was in direct violation of his contract.

The injury, however, didn't seem to hurt his season, as Kent went on to hit .313 with 37 home runs and 108 RBI.

Kevin Mitchell Loves Doughnuts

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Many readers are likely too young to remember this one. I was only seven at the time.

Kevin Mitchell missed the start of spring training in 1990 due to an injury he incurred from a doughnut. Mitchell apparently chipped his tooth on a doughnut he had left in the microwave for too long.

Good thing you can now get those doughnuts hot at Krispy Kreme.

Moises Alou Falls on Treadmill

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Moises Alou tore his ACL running on a treadmill in 1999, according to the Amarillo Globe-News.

While training in his home in the Dominican Republic, Alou fell from the treadmill and was out for the entire season:

(Gerry) Hunsicker said Alou was hurt Thursday when he tried to adjust the controls on a treadmill that was going too fast. Alou slipped and caught himself in the crevice between the treadmill belt and frame.

At least the Houston Astros could be proud of the fact that Alou was trying to stay in shape and not eating doughnuts, like others. 

Hunter Pence Slides Through Window

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A year after batting .322 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI, Hunter Pence didn't exactly start off 2008 with a bang.

Well, maybe he did.

Pence was injured when he fell through a sliding glass door at his apartment during spring training, according to the Houston Chronicle.

He had cuts all over his body and received stitches on his hands and knees:

Pence said he was preparing to go into the hot tub with a friend outside his apartment when he decided to go to the bathroom first. At that point, he had left the door open. When he headed back he didn't realize his friend had shut it, he said.

Pence has since no doubt ensured all doors that he tries to go through are open.

Kaz Matsui's Fissure

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There's something about being a member of the Astros organization that opens you up to freak injuries. Kaz Matsui is no different.

In 2008, Matsui had surgery to repair an anal fissure, according to HoustonAstros.com. That just sounds painful.

The original diagnosis was hemorrhoids. However, according to (former) Astros GM Ed Wade, the change was necessary due to an issue with translation:

The word [hemmorhoids] carries a negative connotation in Japan. That's why we had to go back and readjust it to anal fissure. It translates into a word in Japan that has a different meaning. That's why we flipped it over to the more graphic actual problem.

Steve Sparks Imitates the Hulk

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As a prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1994, Steve Sparks attempted to tear a book in half during spring training.

The incident happened following a motivational-speaking act performed the previous day in which a group called Radical Reality demonstrated high-intensity acts of brute strength.

Thinking he could do the same, Sparks attempted to tear a phone book in half. Instead of tearing the phone book, he dislocated his non-throwing shoulder.

Sparks ended up not making the big-league roster until the next year.