Iglesias Suspended and Bogaerts Fined After Controversy with Umpires

José Iglesias Suspended for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

San Diego Padres infielder José Iglesias has been suspended for one game and fined. Major League Baseball (MLB) announced the disciplinary action on Friday, imposed for inappropriate conduct towards the umpires. The incident occurred during the last Wild Card Series game against the Chicago Cubs. Xander Bogaerts was also fined for his behavior in the same game. The confrontation occurred after the last out at Wrigley Field on October 2, where the Padres were eliminated from the postseason by the Cubs. The discussion between the Padres and the refereeing team was intense and widely spread on social media. Home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn called a third strike on Bogaerts in the ninth inning on a ball that appeared to be outside the zone. Bogaerts, visibly upset, argued with Reyburn, while manager Mike Shildt intervened to defend his player. After the game, the umpires had to go down the steps of the visiting dugout to leave the field. Reyburn exchanged words with Bogaerts and Iglesias, who reacted angrily. It was not determined who started the discussion.

“He ruined the whole game, you know?” Bogaerts commented on Reyburn’s decision. “We can’t go back in time, and talking about it now won’t change anything. It was bad, and thank God for the ABS next year, because it’s terrible.”

Xander Bogaerts

The MLB will implement an automated ball-strike challenge system (ABS) next season. Iglesias, who could become a free agent this fall, has the option to appeal the suspension. If he does, the sanction would be postponed until the appeal process is complete. The Padres, with 90 wins, made the postseason for the fourth time in six seasons, but failed to win a series this time.