DJ Gladney's Southern League Championship Series was a lot more enjoyable the first time around, when his walk-off single decided the series against Montgomery last September.
He didn't make it out of Game 1 of the 2025 edition on Sunday, as he departed the game after running into the center field wall in an attempt to flag down Will Simpson's deep drive leading off the second inning. Gladney appeared to jam his right knee into the fence, and while the Barons cameras didn't show him after the initial impact, broadcaster Doug Greenwald said that he didn't walk off the field under his own power.
The broadcast did show the infielders gathering around the mound as trainers tended to Gladney in center, and that provided the clearest shot of the protective gear Ryan Galanie has been wearing since he came off the injured list, so it looks like that pickoff throw broke his nose.
He hasn't been wearing it at the plate, as you'll see in this highlight of his solo shot that provided the Barons' only run.
Montgomery 2, Birmingham 1
- Rikuu Nishida went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- William Bergolla was 3-for-4 with as tolen base.
- Sam Antonacci was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- DJ Gladney started, but didn't get a plate appearance before leaving with the injury.
- Wilfred Veras pinch-hit later in the game and struck out.
