The Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles was handed a 10-game suspension by Major League Baseball after he tossed his bat towards the pitcher during a Triple-A rehab game where he nearly faced a hit by pitch last Sunday. Robles plans to appeal the suspension, which he must serve at the major league level, meaning it won’t begin until a hearing is conducted and he is activated into an MLB roster.
During the game, Robles was ejected after the incident, during which he advanced towards the pitcher but was restrained by umpires and teammates. As he exited the dugout, he responded angrily by throwing a bucket of sunflower seeds on the field.
In his attempts to dodge the pitch—a 89.9 mph fastball from Joey Estes—Robles managed to foul it off. The pitch was dangerously close to hitting his head and shoulder. Here’s what happened:
Incident Recap: Robles had a shoulder dislocation earlier this season and has been on the injured list since. He has been participating in rehab games, with the incident occurring during his fifth game against the Las Vegas Aviators, where he had been hit by a pitch three times in his opening four games. Frustration likely played a role in Sunday’s outburst, although this doesn’t justify his actions.
After the game, Robles shared an apology on Instagram, stating:
“I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for my recent reaction on the field. I let my frustration get the best of me, and I understand how that may have affected not just the game, but the energy and respect we all work so hard to maintain.
Coming off a long rehab and being away from the game for most of the season has been physically and mentally challenging. Adding to that, the recent passing of my mother has been incredibly hard, and I’ve been doing my best to hold it together. That’s not an excuse, but some context I feel you deserve to understand where I’m coming from.
Robles, now 28, joined the Mariners after his release from the Washington Nationals in June last year. He made a significant impact with Seattle, posting a .328 batting average with four home runs and 30 steals across 77 games in 2024. The Mariners extended Robles’ contract in August, which includes a $9 million club option for 2027.
