Cade Povich is the second MLB pitcher this week to call out fans sending death threats.
The 25-year-old Baltimore Orioles left-handed starter posted on X early Saturday, revealing a disturbing screenshot of an Instagram direct message he said his wife received Friday night after he gave up four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 10-7 loss to the Houston Astros.
The defeat dropped Povich to 2-7 on the year, his second in the bigs.
“I understand that I may not have performed or have gotten the results that I, my team, or many fans may have wanted so I get the frustration. Say what you want about me in that regard. However, going out of your way to DM my wife is unacceptable and what is shown in this image is crossing the line,” Povich wrote on X.
“Me, or especially my wife, should not have to worry about our safety in the public, nonetheless church, because of how I perform on the mound.”
Povich added in his post: “I’m coming on here to say something about this because I know my family is not alone. This stuff does not belong in the game.”
Earlier this week, Seattle Mariners pitcher Tayler Saucedo and his girlfriend shared worrying screenshots of messages they each received after Saucedo’s rough outing in Philadelphia Wednesday. Saucedo, a left-handed reliever, recorded only one out while giving up four earned runs in an 11-2 defeat to the Phillies, at the time the Mariners’ fifth straight loss that continued their setback in the AL West race.
A 32-year-old in his third season with Seattle, Saucedo is struggling mightily on the mound this year. He’s registered a 9.82 ERA in his seven appearances, with more earned runs (8) than innings pitched (7 1/3).
Saucedo took to X to post a statement Wednesday.
“I understand wanting me gone after today and this year as a whole,” Saucedo wrote. “Nobody is more disappointed with how this year has gone for me than myself. Trust me, I want to win just as much as all of you, whether I’m here or not. But messaging me this bulls*** and my girlfriend and sending this stuff is beyond baseball.
“It’s insane how comfortable people are sending this stuff to not only me but my partner. Tell me I suck all you want that’s fine, but at some point we gotta get a grip.”
Unfortunately, these incidents aren’t isolated.
Earlier this year, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. reported death threats made to him and his family following his May 10 start, which was just his second appearance since a 2 1/2-year layoff due to flexor tendon surgery and recovery obstacles. McCullers allowed seven earned runs to the Cincinnati Reds in 1/3 of an inning and was pulled after throwing only 36 pitches.
A report from The Athletic on June 2 revealed that a sports bettor overseas was behind the threats, sending them on social media while he was “frustrated and inebriated,” a Houston Police Department spokesperson told The Athletic.
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