Mets reliever Yohan Ramirez (three games), manager Carlos Mendoza (one) suspended by MLB
Yohan Ramirez and manager Carlos Mendoza of the Mets walk to the dugout after Ramirez was ejected from a game against the Brewers in the seventh inning at Citi Field on Saturday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Mets pitcher Yohan Ramirez, manager Carlos Mendoza and even Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Ramirez did not purposely throw at Milwaukee’s Rhys Hoskins on Saturday.
But MLB disagreed.
Ramirez was suspended for three games and Mendoza for one game Sunday for what was deemed an intentional act by Ramirez. His first pitch to Hoskins in the seventh inning Saturday flew behind the hitter.
Mendoza was not allowed to appeal, so he had to serve his suspension as the Mets fell to the Brewers, 4-1, for their third consecutive loss to open the season.
Ramirez appealed his punishment, then tossed three innings (41 pitches) — a workload that typically requires at least a couple of days off anyway.
MLB also fined Mendoza and Ramirez.
“I was really surprised,” Ramirez said through an interpreter. “I knew I was going to appeal because I knew it wasn’t intentional.”
Regarding throwing a lot Sunday, he added: “Whatever role the organization needs me to play, that’s what I’m willing to do. Whatever I need to do to make this team and stay on this team is what I’m going to do.”
Ramirez twice retired Hoskins during his outing, matchups he said felt “a little bit uncomfortable” because of what happened the day before. One of his pitches buzzed Hoskins up and in, to the delight of the Citi Field crowd.
Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor separately said they found out Mendoza was suspended for the game when they walked by a TV in the clubhouse and saw the headline. That happened about an hour and a half before first pitch (right after the announcement from MLB).
Nimmo called MLB’s decision “interesting.” Pete Alonso said he was “definitely surprised.”
Had the Mets beaten the Brewers, it would have counted as Mendoza’s first official win as manager.
“I’d rather him have been in the dugout getting his first win today,” said bench coach John Gibbons, who managed in Mendoza’s place.
The Hoskins-centric drama began on Friday, Opening Day, when Jeff McNeil became infuriated by his late slide into second base. The benches cleared, but it didn’t escalate further.
On Saturday, Hoskins was 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs when Ramirez entered and threw behind him. Ramirez and Mendoza said it wasn’t on purpose, a sentiment with which Murphy said he agreed.
Extra bases
Lindor received his 2023 Silver Slugger Award during an on-field pregame presentation . . . Alonso and Jeff McNeil said they were impressed with UBS Arena, which they visited Saturday night for a Zach Bryan concert. Alonso got on stage and sang with Bryan . . . After one series, all but three Mets have appeared in a game: Sean Manaea and Adrian Houser, who are scheduled to start against the Tigers the next two days, plus utility infielder Joey Wendle.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
