MLB responds to umpires' Machado statement

June 18th, 2019

SAN DIEGO -- Major League Baseball released a statement Tuesday, strongly criticizing a tweet and a Facebook post from the MLB Umpires' Association regarding 's recent one-game suspension.

The statement read:

“Manny Machado was suspended by MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre, who considered all the facts and circumstances of Machado’s conduct, including precedent, in determining the appropriate level of discipline. Mr. Machado is appealing his suspension and we do not believe it is appropriate for the union representing Major League Umpires to comment on the discipline of players represented by the Players Association, just as it would not be appropriate for the Players Association to comment on disciplinary decisions made with respect to umpires. We also believe it is inappropriate to compare this incident to the extraordinarily serious issue of workplace violence.”

Machado was suspended on Monday for his actions following an ejection in Saturday's game against Colorado. He is appealing that ruling.

Machado was ejected by home-plate umpire Bill Welke for arguing balls and strikes. Upon being tossed, Machado threw his helmet, yelled at Welke for several moments and threw his bat toward the Coors Field backstop.

MLB ruled that Machado's suspension was "for aggressively arguing and making contact with umpire Bill Welke," though Machado disputes the notion that he made contact with Welke.

"Honestly, I'm just waiting for my hearing to plead my case, and that's all we're going to worry about," Machado said. "I know I've got MLB and the Padres and ownership behind me on this. We're all on the same page and going to move forward."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Umpires' Association released a screenshot in a tweet that read:

"Manny Machado received a one-game suspension for contact with an umpire over balls and strikes and VIOLENTLY throwing his bat against the backstop with absolutely no regard for anyone's safety. Violence in the workplace is not tolerated, and offenders are dealt with severely and even made examples of for the good of employees as well as the company itself. Is this truly what MLB wants to teach our youth?"

No date has been set for Machado's appeal. The Padres third baseman is hitting .264/.346/.464 with 14 home runs this season, including four in his last five games.