NEW YORK (AP) — Jorge Lopez will be cut by the struggling New York Mets after their reliever He threw his glove into the stands after being sent off Wednesday at Citi Field.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called the outcry “unacceptable” and said it would be dealt with internally. Lopez did not express any remorse for his offer.
“I don’t regret it. I think I looked (like) the worst teammate probably in the entire MLB,” he said, using profanity during a strange and awkward postgame interview in the Mets’ clubhouse.
Lopez told reporters that he had not spoken to Mendoza or President of Baseball Operations David Stearns about the explosion, but a person with direct knowledge of the situation said that was not true. The person, who also confirmed Lopez’s appointment to the assignment, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose those details publicly.
Lopez, an All-Star in 2022, gave up a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani late in the New York lost 10-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Moments later, the right-hander was ejected for yelling at third base umpire Ramon De Jesus about an appeal ruling on Freddie Freeman’s swing.
“It’s just emotions. The game takes you there,” Lopez said.
Lopez pointed at De Jesus and shouted some more, then dropped the ball and walked off the mound with his shirt disheveled. As he approached the Mets dugout, he threw his glove high over the protective netting and it landed two rows deep in the stands, where it was snagged by a fan.
“It definitely doesn’t look good,” said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who began a players-only meeting in the clubhouse after New York’s 15th loss in 19 games.
“If our manager says this is unacceptable, then it is unacceptable. I hope tomorrow (Lopez) will feel completely different.”
After his hat also fell off his head, Lopez left it in the dirt in front of the dugout and headed to the bench.
“I am as I am,” he said. “I’m not afraid to be myself.”
But Lopez said he thinks his teammates are embarrassed.
“Jorge is a good guy inside. He knows deep down he shouldn’t have done it,” veteran rescuer Adam Ottavino said. “Everybody goes through things.”
After the game, the Mets began the process of hiring Lopez for assignment. They will have seven days to trade or release him, or send him directly to the minors if no other team claims him on waivers.
In his first season with the Mets, the 31-year-old Lopez went 1-2 with a 3.76 ERA and two saves in 28 appearances — among the most in the major leagues. He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with New York in December.
Lopez pitched for three playoff teams last season, going 6-2 with a 5.95 ERA and three saves in 61 relief appearances for Minnesota, Miami and Baltimore.
He moved exclusively to the bullpen in 2022 and was the Orioles’ closer during a four-month breakout that earned him an All-Star selection. Baltimore traded him to the Twins in early August of that year and he finished 4-7 with a 2.54 ERA and 23 saves in 67 games.
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