Reds’ Elly De La Cruz and Mariners reliever Trent Thornton fall ill while playing in extreme heat

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton both experienced heat-related illnesses while playing in extreme heat on Saturday. De La Cruz vomited on the field during Cincinnati’s extra-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, while Thornton had to be helped off the field during the Mariners’ game against the Chicago Cubs.

De La Cruz, a 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was checked on by a trainer and managed to stay in the game after vomiting. He even hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning. On the other hand, Thornton pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings before departing in the eighth inning due to his heat-related illness.

Both players were affected by the high temperatures during their games, with gametime temperatures reaching 92 degrees for the Reds at Cardinals and 94 degrees for the Mariners’ game against the Cubs. The extreme heat led to concerns about player safety, with Mariners manager Dan Wilson describing Thornton’s situation as “scary” but expressing relief that he was feeling better after receiving medical attention.

In addition to the players, umpire Chad Whitson also fell ill during the Mariners-Cubs game and had to be treated in the dugout. The heat was a significant factor in the game, prompting the teams to take precautions such as setting up cooling and misting stations for fans at Wrigley Field.

Despite the challenges posed by the extreme heat, both teams were able to complete their games with the help of medical personnel and additional precautions. The players and umpires affected by the heat-related illnesses were monitored closely and received the necessary care to ensure their well-being.

Overall, the incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of player safety in extreme weather conditions and the need for teams to be prepared to handle heat-related illnesses during games. The MLB spokesman confirmed that all affected individuals were recovering well and able to continue their duties after receiving medical attention.