Seattle Mariners outfielder Víctor Robles was issued a 10-game suspension by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for throwing his bat at a pitcher during a minor league game.
Robles was on a rehab assignment with Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. Up against Las Vegas Aviators pitcher Joey Estes in the third inning Sunday, Robles was hit by a pitch near his head in the right shoulder. Robles then threw his bat at Estes and ran toward the pitcher. Held back by the umpire and teammates, Robles was ejected from the game.
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As he left the game, Robles continued to lash out and actually threw packs of sunflower seeds from the dugout onto the field.
The nine-year MLB veteran later apologized on social media for his actions, saying the frustrations of recently losing his mother and getting hit by pitches four previous times during his rehab assignment fueled his outburst.
“Coming off a long rehab and being away from the game for most of the season has been physically and mentally challenging,” he said. “Adding to that, the recent passing of my mother has been incredibly hard, and I’ve been doing my best to hold it together. That’s not an excuse, but some context I feel you deserve to understand where I’m coming from.
“Getting hit 5 times in 15 at-bats added to that pressure, and I reacted in a way I’m not proud of. This game means the world to me, and so do the people who play it. I respect every one of you — my teammates, the opposing players, and everyone in this league.
Additionally, Robles was hit by a pitch last season from Estes when Estes was playing for the Athletics.
Robles has been on the injured list since April 7 with a fracture in his left shoulder. He went down with the injury while making a leaping catch and colliding with the netting in right-field foul territory at San Francisco’s Oracle Park, and he had to be carted off the field.
Robles’ suspension will begin once he is reinstated off the injured list, as it must actually be served with the Mariners. It’s unclear how long his stint with Tacoma will last. He is expected to appeal his suspension.
In his two seasons with Seattle, Robles is batting .319/.376/.447 with 23 doubles, four home runs, 29 RBI and 33 stolen bases in 308 plate appearances. He’ll rejoin a Mariners team that is competing with the Houston Astros for the AL West lead and currently holds one of the league’s three wild-card playoff spots.
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