Athletics infielder Zack Gelof sues Detroit Tigers over knee cut from exposed metal at Comerica Park

Athletics infielder-outfielder Zack Gelof sued the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings Inc. and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority on Monday, claiming exposed metal fencing at Comerica Park sliced open his right knee during a July 9 game and forced him to miss about 30 days.

Gelof, 26, filed the complaint in Wayne County Circuit Court. The suit says he was making a sliding catch on a fly ball in the third inning when he slid toward the left-field wall and his right knee hit metal fencing that protruded into or alongside the playing area.

The complaint describes the fencing as "rigid, sharp, inadequately protected" and positioned where players could reasonably be expected to run or slide at high speed. It says the collision tore Gelof's uniform and caused a deep cut beneath his kneecap that narrowly missed his patellar tendon.

Gelof was removed from the game and missed about a month of Major League Baseball, according to the lawsuit. The complaint says the injury harmed his career, playing time, statistics, development and future earnings.

The lawsuit alleges the fencing lacked sufficient padding and clearance from the field and created an unreasonable risk of collision and laceration. It accuses the defendants of failing to inspect, repair, redesign, relocate or guard the area, or to warn players about the condition.

Gelof's attorney, Jon Marko, included a photo taken at Comerica Park in August showing padding installed over the same area where Gelof was hurt. The complaint argues that the later change shows the hazard could have been fixed easily.

"All they had to do was put cheap padding up like they did after Zack was injured and this entire incident could have been avoided," Marko said. "My son's little league diamond is safer."

Marko also said the placement of exposed metal so close to the field was an obvious danger.

"It doesn't take a stadium design expert to realize that sharp metal fencing in an area where players are required to slide and play around is a recipe for disaster like the one that occurred here," he said.

The complaint brings claims of premises liability, negligence and negligent design and construction. It also names the stadium authority under Michigan's public-building exception to governmental immunity. The suit alleges the defendants knew or should have known players would routinely run and slide near the fencing and failed to make the area reasonably safe.

Gelof's lawyers are seeking damages for physical injuries, economic losses, medical expenses and other costs. The complaint does not specify a dollar amount.

The Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the stadium authority have not publicly responded to the filing. Comerica Park opened in 2000 and is home to the Tigers.