New York, NY – Jorge López, a relief pitcher for the New York Mets, is facing consequences from the team after an incident that occurred during a recent game at Citi Field. López was ejected from the game and proceeded to throw his glove into the stands, resulting in his imminent release from the struggling Mets.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza condemned López’s actions, describing them as “not acceptable,” and stated that the matter would be handled internally. Despite the outburst, López showed no signs of remorse, expressing that he did not regret his behavior. This sentiment was shared during a postgame interview characterized by emotional outbursts and profanity.
The incident that led to López’s expulsion occurred during the team’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he allowed a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani. Following a confrontation with the umpire over an appealed call on Freddie Freeman’s swing, López was ejected for his outburst towards the third base umpire.
In response to the incident, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor called for a players-only meeting, emphasizing the need for accountability and a shift in attitude. Despite López’s lack of regret, veteran reliever Adam Ottavino acknowledged that the pitcher’s actions were not appropriate and believed that deep down, López understood the implications of his behavior.
As a result of the incident and subsequent actions, the Mets announced their intention to designate López for assignment, giving them the option to trade, release, or demote him to the minors. López, who signed a one-year contract with the Mets in December, has faced a tumultuous season with the team, marked by inconsistent performance and now disciplinary issues.
Throughout his career, López has displayed moments of promise, having been a key player for multiple playoff teams in recent years. However, his recent behavior has called into question his ability to maintain composure under pressure and work effectively within a team environment. The Mets will now have to navigate the process of handling López’s dismissal and moving forward with the team’s roster adjustments.