Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Guillermo Martinez was ejected prior to Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox following a heated lineup card exchange that stemmed from an issue from Tuesday's game. While exchanging lineup cards, Martinez confronted home plate umpire Doug Eddings about questionable calls made during the previous game.
On Friday, MLB suspended Martinez five games for making contact with Eddings and "for his unsportsmanlike conduct during the pregame lineup card exchange." Martinez was also fined an undisclosed amount. He will begin serving the suspension Friday.
During Tuesday's game between the Blue Jays and White Sox, Eddings' wide strike zone calls marred the game and frustrated Toronto to no end, as multiple sources credited Eddings with missed calls, six blown strikeouts and a measly 64 percent strike accuracy rate
The officiating contributed to what ended up being a 7-6 White Sox win in 12 innings.
During the lineup card exchange prior to Wednesday's game, Martinez was seen having an animated discussion with the umpires. He was subsequently thrown out -- before the game even started -- after getting heated with Eddings.
Guillermo Martínez was ejected during the lineup card exchange before today's game. #NextLevel | @BlueJays pic.twitter.com/MCnd6O8kzQ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 22, 2022
Martinez's ejection was the second for the Blue Jays in as many days, as pitching coach Pete Walker was ejected from Tuesday's game for arguing with Eddings in the 10th inning. It also continues a general pattern of Toronto's coaching staff being confrontational: Manager Charlie Montoyo has been ejected four times this season, the most of any manager in Major League Baseball.
