Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton faced health challenges during their games on Saturday, June 21, 2025, as extreme heat gripped much of the United States.
In St. Louis, De La Cruz vomited on the field while playing against the Cardinals. This incident occurred with two outs in the fourth inning of a game that went into extra innings. Despite the setback, he was determined to stay in the game. Reds manager Terry Francona noted that De La Cruz had consumed a significant amount of water before getting sick. After being checked by a trainer, he continued to play and even hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, Thornton pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Cubs before he had to leave the game in the eighth inning due to a heat-related illness. Mariners manager Dan Wilson described the situation as “scary” but was relieved that Thornton was feeling better afterward.
The temperatures during both games were notably high, with the Reds’ game starting at 92 degrees and the Mariners’ game at 94 degrees. The extreme heat not only affected players but also the officiating crew. Chad Whitson, one of the umpires, became ill and required treatment in the Mariners’ dugout. He was later cleared to work the next game.
In response to the heat, the Cubs set up cooling stations at Wrigley Field for fans and had additional medical personnel on standby. They even arranged for a city bus to serve as a cooling station for the following day’s game.
Both De La Cruz and Thornton’s experiences highlight the challenges athletes face during extreme weather conditions, emphasizing the importance of hydration and health management in sports.