The Washington Nationals had some unwanted drama in their dugout Tuesday night, when pitcher MacKenzie Gore confronted Victor Robles about his effort on a play.
Turns out Robles was playing with an injury he had not revealed. Wednesday, the Nationals placed him on the 10-day IL with back spasms. He had just come off a month-long stay on the IL for the same problem.
The Robles-Gore disagreement happened in the second inning, after St. Louis Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker hit a liner that dropped in front of Robles in center. Gore appeared. upset at the outfielder’s effort on the play and the two exchanged words.
I’m late
But here’s the “exchange” between MacKenzie Gore and Victor Robles yesterday pic.twitter.com/whKQXb4Vur
— Kev (@OnePursuitTakes) June 21, 2023
After the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez talked with Robles and pressed him on his health.
“The more I watched him, the more I watched his jumps and stuff, something didn’t look that right, but he kept telling me he was fine,” Martinez said (via ESPN). “After last night I wanted to really sit down with him and talk to him and get out of him exactly what I thought he’d say.”
Now we know why Robles didn’t look 100 percent on the play. As for the dugout tiff, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo did not see a problem.
“The two players handled it great. I loved the passion,” Rizzo told 106.7 The Fan. “I loved that they’re not satisfied with the ball dropping.”
[ESPN]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.