Fact Check: "Two MLB players fell ill during extreme heat conditions on the field."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, during a series of Major League Baseball (MLB) games, two players—Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton—experienced health issues attributed to extreme heat conditions. The temperature at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, where the Reds played the Cardinals, was recorded at 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) at first pitch, while Wrigley Field in Chicago, where the Mariners faced the Cubs, reached 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius) (CNN, source-2).
De La Cruz vomited on the field during the fourth inning, requiring attention from an athletic trainer, but he continued to play and later hit a home run (Independent, source-4). Thornton, on the other hand, suffered from heat exhaustion and had to be assisted off the field after pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings (CNN, source-2).
Analysis
The reports from multiple credible sources confirm that both players fell ill due to extreme heat conditions. The Cincinnati Reds' manager, Terry Francona, noted that De La Cruz drank a significant amount of water before vomiting, which indicates that he was attempting to manage his hydration despite the extreme conditions (Independent, source-4).
Similarly, Mariners manager Dan Wilson described Thornton's situation as "a little bit of a heat-related illness," emphasizing the seriousness of the conditions players faced (Independent, source-4). The fact that an umpire also fell ill during the games further underscores the extreme nature of the heat on that day (CNN, source-2).
The sources used in this analysis are reputable news organizations, including CNN and The Independent, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes. The consistency of the reports across these sources adds to their reliability.
Conclusion
The claim that "two MLB players fell ill during extreme heat conditions on the field" is True. Both Elly De La Cruz and Trent Thornton experienced health issues related to the extreme heat during their respective games, as confirmed by multiple credible sources.