Umpires end protest against alleged mistreatment
Major League Baseball umpires ended their one-day protest against alleged mistreatment after the commissioner’s office agreed to meet with them.
The World Umpires Association, which represents umpires, tweeted that Commissioner Rob Manfred agreed to meet with union reps after several umpires wore white wristbands during Saturday’s games to show support for Angel Hernandez, who was criticized by Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler.
“We appreciate the Commissioner’s willingness to engage seriously on verbal attacks and other important issues that must be addressed,” the union tweeted.
Umpire Joe West, one of the protesting umpires working Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field, declined to comment.
West recently was suspended for three games for naming Texas’ Adrian Beltre as one of the biggest “complainers” in baseball during an interview.
The protest stems from an incident in which Kinsler said Hernandez “needs to find another job” and “just needs to go away.” Kinsler was fined by MLB but not suspended.
The umpires believe a double standard exists if West can be suspended but Kinsler received only a fine. A Saturday news release from the umpires said the “verbal attack on Angel denigrated the entire MLB umpiring staff and is unacceptable,” and Kinsler received “lenient treatment” in being fined and not suspended. It added that “abusive player behavior” means “it’s ‘open season’ on umpires.”
Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said the protest was “petty” and “to single out one player as a union is completely uncalled for.” Kinsler said, “If they take offense to (his comments), that that’s their problem.”
Umpire Bill Miller said after the Dodgers-Tigers game Saturday that Kinsler was “not the focus of the situation” and that there have been “several instances where umpires have been called out or challenged” by players and managers.
“Ejections seem to be up, and we just feel like we need to band together and let people know that we are human beings,” Miller said.
Briefly: Minnesota third baseman Miguel Sano probably will be headed to the 10-day disabled list with a stress reaction in his lower left shin, according to manager Paul Molitor. Sano was pulled from Saturday night’s game with soreness and had an MRI exam Sunday . ... The Brewers optioned righthanded rookie Brandon Woodruff to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Woodruff is 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA in three major-league starts, but manager Craig Counsell said Milwaukee won’t need a fifth starter until rosters expand in September . ... The Mets acquired right-hander Jacob Rhame from the Dodgers to complete the trade for outfielder Curtis Granderson . ... Rookie right-hander Jake Faria, in the Rays’ starting rotation since June 7, was placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to Thursday with a left abdominal strain.