Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Guillermo Martinez has been suspended five games and given an undisclosed fine for making contact with umpire Doug Eddings and for unsportsmanlike conduct during the lineup-card exchange prior to Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, Major League Baseball announced Friday.
The suspension will start Friday when the Blue Jays face the Milwaukee Brewers.
Later on Friday, Martinez published a statement apologizing for his actions.
“I understand Umpires have tough job and respect their position, but I could have stood up for my players in a different manner,” Martinez said. “I lost my temper at an inappropriate time, and it shouldn’t have happened.”
After Martinez was thrown out by another umpire Wednesday, he exchanged words and pointed his finger at Eddings, who was heavily criticized for his strike zone in the Blue Jays’ 12-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Eddings ejected Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker late in Tuesday’s game.
The Umpire Auditor Twitter account said Eddings missed a season-high 29 calls in Tuesday’s game.
The Blue Jays went on to win Wednesday’s game 9-5.
“It was unexpected, for sure. I know some guys were a little bit fired up,” shortstop Bo Bichette said of Martinez’s ejection after he hit a grand slam in Wednesday’s win. “I’m proud of the guys. Come out here after a tough night, quick turnaround, everybody was tired. To get out here and score quick and score a lot was good to see.”
