New York Mets reliever Jorge López had a bad day on the mound on Wednesday. Shortly after Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets designated López for assignment.
López was ejected from that game. And how he handled the ejection might have something to do with that.
With the Mets down 9-3, López threw a pitch to Los Angeles’ Freddie Freeman. Freeman appeared to check his swing, which was confirmed on appeal to third base umpire, Ramon De Jesus. López, though, immediately began arguing the call and was ejected. On his way off the field, the pitcher tossed his glove over the netting behind New York’s dugout and into the stands.
A bizarre ejection, a bizarre (player) reaction to the ejection, and the commentary on from the SNY Mets crew.
“What has been a bad day all the way around has just gotten worse. (Jorge) López responds by tossing his glove up the over netting and into the crowd.” ⚾️🎙️ pic.twitter.com/6bWb7fAOga
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2024
Throwing his glove into the seats earned him sharp criticism from the team’s announcers, Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez. It also drew sharp criticism from Carlos Mendoza, who called the matter ” not acceptable” and said “it would be dealt with internally.”
After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told the media that Jorge López’s reaction to the ejection is “not acceptable” and added that the organization will “address that internally.”pic.twitter.com/rCfNZThkOM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2024
When López was told what Mendoza said and asked if he regretted throwing his glove, he answered with a sharp no.
“I don’t regret it,” López said. “I think I’ve been on the worst team in probably the whole ******* MLB.”
López has a thick accent so it wasn’t immediately clear if he said he was “on the worst team” or “the worst teammate.” He later confirmed (per Anthony DiComo, MLB) that he meant both — the worst teammate on the worst team.
López later added, “Whatever happens, happens. Whatever they want to do. I’ll be tomorrow, here if they want me.”
Jorge López on the glove toss after being ejected: “I don’t regret it. I think I’ve been on the worst team in probably the whole fucking MLB.”pic.twitter.com/CtWpnLR5sL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2024
As it turns out, they don’t. Shortly after those comments were made, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that López had been DFA’d.
The Mets will DFA Jorge Lopez, source said.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) May 30, 2024
A bad end to a bad day for team that, following Wednesday’s loss, is 7-19 in May.
[Photo Credit: SNY]
