Dodgers' Muncy and Diamondbacks' Vargas exit after first-base collision, both cleared afterward

Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ildemaro Vargas of the Arizona Diamondbacks were both removed from the game after colliding at first base in the top of the fifth inning during yesterday's 3-2 walk-off win for Arizona at Chase Field.

Muncy reported that he cleared concussion protocols, noting his head "took a pretty good hit," but he felt fine. He will not play in today’s game. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Vargas underwent X-rays on his thigh, ribs, and neck, all of which came back negative. Vargas pleaded with Lovullo to let him play today, but the manager ultimately decided to give him a day off.

Muncy hit the ball toward first base, and Vargas fielded it behind the bag. Both players sprinted from opposite sides of the base, leading to a head-on collision.

As Muncy ran down the line, he noticed Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson slowly leaving the mound, while Vargas had already drifted into foul territory. Muncy instinctively moved toward the inside of the base to avoid Vargas, but Vargas shifted in the same direction, leaving neither player time to change course.

"It felt like neither of us knew which way the other was going, and we both chose the wrong direction," Muncy said. "Then—boom—we collided."

Vargas, speaking through translator Alex Arpiza, said: "Maybe for a split second I thought it was a foul ball. I just wanted to make the play. I like Nelson. I wanted to give it everything I had for him."

Muncy reached the base just ahead of Vargas, resulting in an infield single, but both players remained on the ground for several minutes as their respective training staffs attended to them. They were able to get up on their own but were both taken out of the game.

After the collision, Muncy briefly experienced shortness of breath, but it subsided and he felt better. Once he regained his composure, his biggest concern was for Vargas.

"When I watched the replay, it looked like we both did the same thing—jumped up as if to absorb the impact and avoid the collision. Unfortunately, we couldn't avoid it," Muncy said. "The most important thing is... I hope he's okay. I definitely didn't mean to hit him."

Muncy was replaced by pinch-runner Santiago Espinal, who then took over at third base. Vargas was replaced at first base by Pavin Smith.

In the Diamondbacks' dugout, the player who seemed most shaken after the game was pitcher Ryne Nelson. He blamed himself for not covering first base, saying that if he had done so, none of this would have happened. As soon as the inning ended, he rushed into the clubhouse to check on Vargas.

When asked about his excellent seven-inning pitching performance, Nelson quickly redirected the conversation to the collision between Vargas and Muncy.

"I failed to do my job in a crucial moment, which forced Vargas to leave the game, and I'm really disappointed in myself," Nelson said. "I've always prided myself on handling the details—covering my position, backing up first base. Watching a teammate and a friend get taken out like that is really tough. Knowing I could have done something to prevent it makes me feel awful."