MLB suspends Luis Rojas 2 games for ‘excessive arguing’ with umpires

After pulling their season from potential rock bottom, the Mets will embark on the first two games of their series in Cincinnati without their manager.

Luis Rojas was suspended for two games following his ejection and on-field antics in Sunday’s win over the Pirates. Major League Baseball announced that in addition to the suspension, which was the result of “excessive arguing,” Rojas was also fined an undisclosed amount.

His suspension begins with Monday night’s game against the Reds. Bench coach Dave Jauss will serve as the manager in Rojas’ absence.

“I’m a little upset that I’ll be missing the next two games,” Rojas said on Monday afternoon. “But the league’s gotta do what they gotta do, right? The guys are ready. Everyone in there is ready to go do their job and win a game.”

Rojas’ ejection stemmed from a disagreement with the umpires in the first inning of Sunday’s game. Taijuan Walker went to field a slow roller up the third base line and, after he thought the ball had trickled foul, pushed it toward the dugout to ensure it wouldn’t come back into fair territory. It’s a common play for defenders to make on foul balls, but unfortunately for Walker, Rojas and the Mets, the umpires ruled the ball fair.

The bizarre play caused three runs to score and Rojas to erupt. During his tirade, the normally even-keeled manager made contact with home plate umpire Jeremy Riggs. The other umpires stepped in, as did a few of the Mets’ coaches, but it wasn’t enough to save Rojas from a suspension.

Speaking via Zoom from Cincinnati, Rojas also said that he was not given the opportunity to appeal the suspension. He mentioned that this is his first suspension at any level of his managerial career and he wasn’t planning on fighting it anyway, but he assumed he’d have a chance to appeal if he wanted it. He said he is not allowed in the clubhouse during the game but can do his normal pre-game routines and preparations, including throwing batting practice.

“It is what it is at this point,” a slightly dejected Rojas let on. “Let’s get started with the suspension and get it over with. I just can’t wait to be back in the dugout.”

After the game on Sunday, Walker said seeing the skipper’s fiery side “got the whole team fired up, to see him have our backs out there.” Rojas added that his memory of the event may have been clouded by rage, and on Monday clearly stated that he thinks a play like that should be reviewable.

“There’s some things they say to me I did that I don’t remember doing. I know I was very hot at the moment. I was upset.”

Hopefully watching the Mets’ next two games from a television set won’t make Rojas any more upset.