4:36pm: The suspension was reduced to two games, reports Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 (X link). Uceta also received an undisclosed fine.
3:56pm: Uceta will not appeal the decision, Cash tells Topkin. The right-hander’s three-game suspension will begin tonight.
2:55pm: Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that Rays righty Edwin Uceta has received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for throwing at Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos in last night’s game. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash has received a one-game suspension. Uceta can appeal if he chooses and would still be eligible to take the field while the appeal process plays out. Cash is serving his suspension tonight, per the league’s announcement. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported the details surrounding the suspensions.
Uceta entered last night’s game in the eighth inning with two men on base and one out in what was then a 4-4 tie. He promptly yielded a two-run double to outfielder Cal Stevenson, struck out catcher Garrett Stubbs, allowed an RBI single to infielder Buddy Kennedy and then served up a two-run homer to Trea Turner. Bryce Harper followed with a double. Uceta then hit Castellanos on the hip with a 96.2 mph sinker on the first pitch of the next plate appearance, prompting both benches to clear (video link). Castellanos and Harper, in particular, were animated with their anger and what they clearly believed to be intent behind the pitch.
Castellanos said after the game that he had “an overwhelming sense that I was about to get drilled,” before even stepping into the batter’s box (link via Todd Zolecki of MLB.com). Harper was also vocal in the aftermath, stating that throwing at a player with intent “is not something that you should accept as Major League Baseball” — particularly in an era where today’s pitchers can throw so hard. “We’re in a race right now,” Harper continued. “We’re doing our thing. We’re trying to get into the postseason. A guy wants to drill him. It’s not right.”
Uceta, naturally, maintained while speaking through an interpreter that he did not intend to plunk Castellanos — the first batter he’s hit all season in 36 1/3 innings (138 batters faced) and just the third batter he’s hit in his MLB career (314 plate appearances).
Even with that dismal outing, Uceta’s ERA on the season stands at 1.49. He’s quietly emerged as an important bullpen piece for Tampa Bay since signing a minor league deal in the winter and having his contract selected to the big league roster back in May. Part of Uceta’s success this season has been impeccable command. He’s walked just 4.3% of the opponents he’s faced (against a massive 37% strikeout rate).
That alone doesn’t signal intent, of course; it was a pressure-filled situation wherein Uceta had missed spots badly on both the double to Stevenson and the home run to Turner. He’s also struggled with command in the past, entering the season with a career 11.9% walk rate. It’s certainly feasible that he was rattled by the moment in an outing where he’d already lacked command, but it’s simultaneously understandable that the Phillies took exception and believed there to be intent.
Regardless, Cash will be absent from tonight’s dugout, and Uceta could miss up to three games. Castellanos thankfully didn’t sustain any type of injury on the play. He remained in the game and is back in tonight’s lineup. Leadoff slugger Kyle Schwarber, who tweaked his elbow on a dive back into first base last night and was set for further evaluation today, was originally in the lineup but was scratched just minutes ago after informing the team of lingering soreness in his elbow (X link via Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer). Harper will serve as the designated hitter tonight, and Kody Clemens will get the nod at first base.
hiflew
I’m surprised Harper immediately ran off the bench. I expected he would have just stared at the incident for a while before finally taking off.
CoachSantoni
He was on 2nd after just hitting a Dbl.
hiflew
I don’t really care what actually happened. It was just a joke about him not running out his fly ball off the wall the night before.
Paleobros
Hiflew, you not knowing what happened before you spoke very clearly shows you don’t care what happened my guy.
hiflew
Me actually saying it flat out shows that too my guy.
CoachSantoni
Yeah right. Thanks for your contribution.
alwaysgo4two
He actually had an open line to Uceta, but he stopped after being “held back” yet his mouth was going 100%.
DodgersBro
ag4t
Yeah
Can’t believe that he chose to yell at a guy instead of attack him physically.
What a…better thing to do.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
As usual. Harper is all show and no go when things might get physical. I wouldn’t be surprised if the team had a couple of players designated to “hold him back” when things like this happened.
superunclea
Harper is one to talk. Going bananas on a check swing isn’t baseball either, but you do it on the regular.
CoachSantoni
A I don’t remember Harper throwing a 96.2 mph ball at anyone.
frankiegxiii
He threw a 96.2 mph helmet at someone, but his aim was horrendous.
DodgersBro
fg
So, he didn’t throw it AT him. Gotcha
mike92psu
Ridiculous comp
HalosHeavenJJ
Good. There’s no place for that in the game. Beaning guys because you’re having a bad day is childish.
its_happening
You’re so right Halos! You should start a petition to change the rule that hitters get first base after they are hit by a pitch. I mean, you did say it has no place in the game so let’s just call the pitch a ball.
mike92psu
Orrrr maybe they can invoke a process where if it is deemed to be intentional they can eject and suspend the pitcher … hmmm
its_happening
That’s what they do already Mike.
This one belongs to the Reds
He was drilled in the hip. Hardly a beaning.
As a guy who dusted myself off more than once back in the day, the hip is nothing.
its_happening
It shouldn’t be a 3-game suspension. Castellanos has the most padded up left arm in the game. Gets to stand close to the plate. Unbelievable people don’t think the padded protection on hitters isn’t gaining a clear advantage.
Zerbs63
Castellanos even whines when he is hit on the arm pad.
HalosHeavenJJ
I’m with you on this. 2 games would be fine. Considering he’s a reliever, that’s a game missed plus one more pay check.
The padding on these guys is out of control.
mike92psu
Did you even see it? Nothing to do with where castellanos stands or his pad that many people wear
its_happening
Mike, EVERY guy who wears the padding is a cheater. Today, more players stand closer to the plate than ever before. They are allowed. Pitchers get tossed or suspended just for hitting a guy. Castellanos like 98% of the hitters today stand closer than players did 30 years ago, even 20.
Point is, stop trying to fight pitchers after a beaning. Hitters asked for it by rampant cheating. Walk to first base and shut up.
Paleobros
I missed the part in your comment where they’re cheating.
its_happening
Yes you did.
CuddyFox
Do not forget about standing in the back of the batting box. So much so that the catcher gets interference. That knocked out Willson Contreras out for a few games when JD Martinez hit his catchers met with his bat..
its_happening
Cuddy – on top of that, by standing close along with a one handed finish, catchers are getting dinged on the backswing more than ever before. When hitters had to hit legitimately without cheat padding and umpire protection, they stood close enough while being far enough away not to hit the catcher.
mike92psu
And they do 95pct of the time when it’s clearly not intentional which this was. You are mixing arguments here (I agree about too much armor being worn)
its_happening
Nah. Pitcher might’ve been angry and tried to overthrow a heater. Thats more plausible than simply saying it was intentional. Unless this guy has a habit of headhunting, who’s to say that his emotions caused it?
I’m not mixing arguments here. Every hitter should have the understanding that they could get hit. The entitled, overprotected players of today do not believe that. That is why they embellish homerun celebrations like they’ve never done it. Intentional or not, hitters need to be humbled.
johnsilver
Take it from the username are an Angels fan.. Look over filthy habit 1 Nolan Ryan had.. Throwing BEHIND a batter’s head. Guess it’s childish to to take offense to that also?
Some star players actually sat out games vs ryan due to that filthy habit. it took years to ban it. Dwight Evans was 1 who ceased playing in any game vs Ryan he had been “back tossed” several times and wasn’t worth it.
Shame Ventura didn’t turn the tables on Ryan that day on the mound. he’s 1 pitcher should have gotten the… knocked out of him, imagine, down the line he did pay.. Behind a clubhouse, stands. he was an evil dude.
its_happening
What hitters are doing isn’t evil? We have TJ surgery through the roof and while hitters can do whatever they please, pitchers are patted down like criminals each inning.
Nolan Ryan didn’t strike out over 5000 batters by throwing behind hitters heads so your narrative is misleading at-best.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
Are you just too lazy to type “one” ???
Troy Percival's iPad
Why didn’t Castellanos move? It was in the meaty part of his back. What’s the problem?
RunDMC
He’s mad he didn’t get a meatball down the center of the plate like most everyone ahead of him and would have rather taken the SLG boost and not the OBP with a bruise he can’t easily show off for street cred.
Butter Biscuits
Of all teams the Phillies shouldn’t be the ones complaining they a have a history of throwing at batters intentionally they come of as crybabies in this
mike92psu
Umm, really? A history of throwing at people? Please share.
GB2
Don’t we all want to throw at Nick Castellanos?
hiflew
I believe you could make a lot of money for charity by offering that up. $20 a ball to throw at him. You could end homelessness once and for all.
Bart Harley Jarvis
But $20 oer stupid comment might raise even more money for a good cause. I think we’re over $300 already. Let’s go team!
BaseballisLife
When you say “I should have hit you in the ****ing head” it’s pretty clear your intent was to hit the batter.
More than a few baseball fans speak the same language Edwin.
Gilbert48
It’s been reduced to 2 games.
Karensjer
He was wild most of the night. You can’t prove that it was intentional especially if he didn’t have much control before the beaning. 1 game should’ve sufficed, and Castellanos should’ve got a game as well for his part in the brawl. Another example of MLB bias against the Rays. Where is the outcry with all of the beanings of star hitters coming from the arms of the Yankee$ and Orioles in the past 2 years? Seems like they have been going after a teams hottest hitter and aiming for the wrists on many occasions.
rennick
I mean, the guy threw it 96.2 mph and called it a change up. It’s also the fastest ball he’s thrown all year according to one article I read. That seems pretty suspicious
mike92psu
Come on man… by saying 1 game you are admitting it was intentional. It was or it wasn’t – pick a lane. (Spoiler alert – it was)
Karensjer
I don’t think it was, but MLB usually suspends for 1 game if any kind of brawl breaks out, so I feel like 1 game is fair even though I don’t feel like it was intentional.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Agreed, Castellanos should’ve received a suspension for being hit by a pitch.
LordD99
Harper was right.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
Harper is never right.
AndyMeyer
Spot on take. He’s “never right” for sticking up for his teammates. What a jerk!
Old York
Batters were sitting on his changeup and tipping his pitches. Guy is cooked.
MLBTR needs to hire editors
More crappy writing by Steve Adams. This is bad syntax: “Uceta, naturally, maintained while speaking through an interpreter that he did not intend to plunk Castellanos.” Just dumb to interrupt subject and verb with a word that can start the sentence.
“Naturally, Uceta maintained while speaking through an interpreter that he did not intend to plunk Castellanos”
Get editors, please.