Dodgers Diamondbacks players exit after first base collision

Two players were injured Thursday night in Phoenix after a violent collision at first base during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy and Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas both left the game following the incident.

The collision occurred in the fifth inning at Chase Field. With two outs, Muncy hit a ground ball up the first-base line. Vargas fielded the ball behind the bag and, seeing that pitcher Ryne Nelson would not cover the base in time, charged toward it himself. Muncy was also sprinting full speed down the baseline. The two arrived at the base almost simultaneously, with Muncy reaching it a half-second sooner to be called safe for a single. The impact was immediate and severe, sending both players into the air before they landed hard on the field.

The force of the collision knocked Muncy's helmet and glasses off. Both players remained on the ground for several minutes while athletic trainers from each team conducted on-field examinations. The stadium fell quiet during the delay. Muncy eventually got to his feet first and walked slowly to the Dodgers dugout. Vargas rose with assistance and walked...