Major League Baseball suspended Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Guillermo Martinez five games on Friday for making contact with an umpire and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Martinez, 37, was also fined an undisclosed amount for his heated interaction with umpire Doug Eddings during the pregame exchange of lineup cards ahead of Wednesday’s contest against the White Sox in Chicago. Martinez was ejected from the game.
Martinez was apparently upset with Eddings for his calls behind the plate in Toronto’s 7-6 loss to the White Sox in 12 innings on Tuesday.
Martinez shook hands with the umpiring crew shortly before being ejected.
Barring an appeal, the suspension begins Friday night when the Blue Jays open a three-game series with the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Martinez would be eligible to return to the team for Wednesday’s game in Toronto against the Boston Red Sox.
Martinez has been manager Charlie Montoyo’s hitting coach since November 2018.
–Field Level Media
