Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. will miss the entire 2019 season after tearing the ACL, LCL, PCL and posterior lateral capsule in his left knee, the Diamondbacks announced Tuesday.
The announcement came one day after Souza suffered the injury on a bizarre play at home plate during an exhibition game vs. the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field. Souza appeared to land awkwardly on the plate as he scored, and he then collapsed to the ground in pain. He was eventually helped off the field.
Souza scores but not without cost... pic.twitter.com/ndGmqdmzgW
— darwin campbell (@dlcampbell00) March 26, 2019
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo announced Souza will undergo surgery to repair the damage in his knee and will miss the entire 2019 regular season.
"It's a sad day for all of us, the Arizona Diamondbacks and especially Steven Souza," Lovullo told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "He went down playing the game full speed like he always has and just a freak injury."
The 29-year-old Souza was acquired by the D-backs in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2018 regular season but missed significant playing time in his first season in Arizona due to a strained pectoral muscle. He played in just 72 games for the D-backs last season.
Souza's injury occurred just three days before the D-backs' regular-season opener vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.
