Injury Scout - Jerry Layne Exits After Foul Ball to Head

HP Umpire Jerry Layne left Saturday's #Diamondbacks-#Rockies game in Colorado following a foul ball that struck his mask.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, with none out and none on, Rockies batter Randal Grichuk attempted to check his swing, with D'Backs pitcher JB Wendelken's 95.5-mph 0-1 fastball caroming off Rockies catcher CJ Cron's arm and into Layne's mask. The call of HBP was challenged and overturned to a foul ball.

2B Umpire Chad Whitson replaced Layne behind home plate while 1B Umpire Nick Mahrley and 3B Umpire Adam Hamari remained in the field while also assuming Crew Chief duties.

Relevant Injury History: Jerry Layne has a significant history of head trauma.

> On April 28. 2021, Layne exited a Red Sox-Mets game after a foul ball off the mask.

> On April 1, 2019, Layne left his Opening Day assignment in Pittsburgh after foul balls to the head.

> On September 25, 2016, Layne exited a Mariners-Twins game after a foul ball to the mask.

> On August 31, 2016, Layne left a Blue Jays-Orioles game after a direct 94-mph shot to the mask.

> On June 27, 2016, Layne left an Indian-Braves game after a foul ball to the jaw region.

> On April 15, 2015, Layne left a Tigers-Pirates game after a deflection from the catcher to the mask.

Last Game: July 2 | Return to Play: July 4 | Time Absent: 2 Days | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 089 - Tripp Gibson (1; David Bell)

HP Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Reds manager David Bell (balls/strikes after HBP; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Braves-#Reds game. With none out and none on, Reds batter Kyle Farmer took a 2-1 fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider for a hit-by-pitch (both Farmer and Braves batter Adam Duvall were hit by pitches and both left the game as a result of injury); there were no incorrectly officiated ball/strike calls during either half of the 5th inning prior to the HBP, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 2-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Tripp Gibson (73)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Tripp Gibson now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Laz Diaz now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

This is the 89th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 45th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Cincinnati's 2nd ejection of 2022, T-3rd in the NL Central (CHC 4; STL 3; CIN, PIT 2; MIL 1).

This is David Bell's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 26 (Nestor Ceja; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Tripp Gibson's 1st ejection since June 6, 2021 (Jayce Tingler; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7/2/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 088 - Chris Segal (3; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire Chris Segal ejected Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (ball one call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Athletics-#Mariners game. With none out and none on, Mariners batter Julio Rodriguez took a first-pitch cutter from A's pitcher Paul Blackburn for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.57, pz 1.61 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49 / MOE 1.57]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Athletics were leading, 1-0. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Chris Segal (96)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

Chris Segal now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 6).

Crew Chief Andy Fletcher now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 3).

*This pitch was located 0.48 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 88th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 44th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Oakland's 4th ejection of 2022, 4th in the AL West (LAA, SEA 7; HOU 5; OAK 4; TEX 0).

This is Mark Kotsay's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 1 (Mike Muchlinski; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Segal's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 31 (Manny Machado; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners, 7/2/22 | Video as follows:

Call of the Month - June 2022

For June 2022's call of the month, we follow the journey of 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds on a tag up play at third base, which he has responsibility for because U3 Alex Tosi has gone out to officiate a batted ball near the outfield wall.

With one out and Chicago's extra inning-placed runner at second base in the 12th inning of a game led by the Rangers, White Sox batter Jake Burger hits a fly ball deep to the left field warning track. As Rangers left fielder Charlie Culberson prepares to catch the fly, White Sox baserunner R2 Luis Robert gets ready to tag up and try and advance to third base.

Culbertson's throw to third baseman Ezequiel Duran arrives on a bounce, with Duran keeping a tag applied to R2 Robert as the runner potentially overslides third base. U2 Reynolds hustles over to third base to call Robert out (upheld via Replay Review), officiating his newfound responsibility created when U3 Tosi left the infield.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 087 - Ramon De Jesus (3; Brandon Hyde)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Orioles manager Brandon Hyde (strike calls; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Orioles-#Twins game. With none out and none on, Orioles batter Ryan McKenna flied out, Jonathan Arauz lined out, Jorge Mateo walked, Cedric Mullins doubled, and Austin Hays lined out. Of all pitches, the closest was a strike one call during Mullins' at-bat. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -0.36, pz 3.33 [sz_top 3.35 / RAD 3.47]), this call and all nine callable pitches during the inning were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

Ramon De Jesus now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).

Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).

This is the 87th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 43rd manager ejection of 2022.

This is Baltimore's 3rd ejection of 2022, T-3rd in the AL East (TOR 8; NYY 5; BAL, BOS, TB 3).

This is Brandon Hyde's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 21 (Rob Drake; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

This is Ramon De Jesus' 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 10 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [INT]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Minnesota Twins, 7/1/22 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Caught Fly Ball Retouch Appeal Philly Edition

On the heels of Wednesday's Pirates-Nationals complicated tag up appeal play fourth out situation, we find another tagging up/retouch appeal play during the Braves-Phillies game in Philadelphia, but this one is a lot easier to parse than the Washington event.

Play & Calls: With none out and two on (R1, R2), Phillies batter Nick Castellanos hit a deep drive to left line drive to right field, where Braves right fielder Adam Duvall dove in an attempt to catch the ball, ruled a catch by 1B Umpire Quinn Wolcott.

Phillies baserunner R2 Kyle Schwarber timely tagged up and advanced to third base as Atlanta's Duvall threw to second baseman Orlando Arcia, who stepped on second base to appeal R2 Schwarber for leaving early (ruled an out by 2B Umpire Alex Tosi) before running to tag Phillies baserunner R1 Rhys Hoskins while Hoskins was half way between first and second base (ruled an out by 2B Umpire Tosi).

Note: If you want to get Hoskins for abandoning his effort to run the bases for erroneously assuming a force out where the force was removed by virtue of the batter being declared out on the fly out, that is your prerogative, but for this specific play, the tag-out is a much better call.

Analysis: For a detailed analysis of appeal situations relative to this kind of a double play (initially a triple play until Replay Review overturned Tosi's out call on Schwarber [because Schwarber did tag up legally]), consult the Pirates-Nationals fourth out play article and video, but for the purpose of this play in Philadelphia, it's a simple case of appealing on one runner at a time (there was no runner standing on second base at the time of Arcia's appeal): compare that to the Washington play when a runner was standing on the base which may or may not have been appealed regarding the other runner.

Related Post: Ask UEFL - Pirates Score as Nats Fail to Appeal Fourth Out (6/29/22).

Once again, Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c) Comment's specification is as follows: "An appeal should be clearly intended as an appeal, either by a verbal request by the player or an act that unmistakably indicates an appeal to the umpire. A player, inadvertently stepping on the base with a ball in their hand, would not constitute an appeal."

Video as follows:

Injury Scout - David Rackley Leaves After Foul to Mask

HP Umpire David Rackley exited Wednesday's #Brewers-#Rays game in Tampa Bay following a foul ball to the lower half of his mask.

In the top of the 8th inning, with none out and none on, Brewers batter Luis Urias fouled a 1-0 96-mph sinker from Rays pitcher Calvin Faucher into Rackley's traditional style facemask, resulting in his removal from the game.

1B Umpire Ryan Wills replaced Rackley behind home plate with 2B Umpire Sean Barber moving to first base and 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Larry Vanover remaining at third.

Relevant Injury History: David Rackley previously left a Spring Training game due to a head injury.

> On March 5, 2017, Rackley left a Grapefruit League game due to an 8th inning foul ball off the mask.

Last Game: June 29 | Return to Play: July 2 | Time Absent: 2 Days | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Pirates Score as Nats Fail to Appeal Fourth Out

We received many Ask the UEFL questions on a botched appeal play during Wednesday's Pirates-Nationals game in Washington as Pittsburgh scored the go-ahead run thanks to the Nats' failure to appeal a fourth out on Jack Suwinski's baserunning in the 5th inning.

Play: With one out and two on (R2, R3), Pirates batter Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a line drive that was caught on the fly by Nationals first baseman Josh Bell (as signaled by 1B Umpire Mark Wegner), who threw to third baseman Ehire Adrianza as Pirates baserunner R2 Hoy Park arrived at third base (from second). Replays indicate that both R2 Park and lead runner R3 Jack Suwinski failed to tag up after batter Hayes' line drive was caught, and Nats F5 Adrianza tagged R2 Park to appeal that he left early, signaled an out by 3B Umpire Jeremie Rehak. Washington then left the field as Pirates manager Derek Shelton exited his dugout to argue with 1B Umpire Wegner about the catch/trap call.

Call: Upon consultation, the umpires ruled batter Hayes out on the caught batted ball and runner R2 Park out on appeal for failing to tag up. R3 Suwinski's run was allowed to score, however, as the Nationals failed to appeal that R3 left early. The Nationals, having already left the playing field, then attempted to return to the field and appeal R3's infraction, but the umpires denied this attempt, ruling the team had forfeited its opportunity to appeal since the infielders had already left the field for the dugout.

Reducing the Play into Its Parts: There are four distinct parts to this play:

1) Batter Hayes' line drive—was it a catch or a trap?

2) Appeal on R2—is R2 Park safe or out?

3) Time Play with R3—does R3 Suwinksi's run score?

4) Fourth Out—does R3 Suwinski's run score?

MLB Ejection 086 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike one call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Athletics-#Yankees game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Aaron Judge took a 1-0 sinker from Athletics pitcher Sam Selman for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.33, pz 1.60 [sz_bot 1.84 / RAD 1.72 / MOE 1.63]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 2-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Stu Scheurwater now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).

Crew Chief CB Bucknor now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).

*This pitch was located 0.41 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 86th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 42nd manager ejection of 2022.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2022, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 8; NYY 5; BOS, TB 3; BAL 2).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 4 (Marty Foster; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since August 3, 2021 (Luis Rojas; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs New York Yankees, 6/28/22 | Video as follows:

Teachable - It's All Vanover for Anaheim on Back-Tag

The Oakland Athletics executed a rare bases-loaded double play against the Angels, with right fielder Chad Pinder throwing to Elvis Andrus to double up Tyler Wade on Shohei Ohtani's fly out, 2B Umpire Larry Vanover's call standing after Replay Review.

This Teachable concerns the umpiring crew—and mainly Vanover—'s general positioning as the play develops, with U2 Vanover adjusting his position throughout the play to find an angle to give himself a look at the action area on the backside of second base where Andrus attempted to tag Wade, who attempted to avoid Andrus' glove while sliding in to touch second base.

Meanwhile, we also observe 3B Umpire David Rackley lining himself up for a potential play at third base and discuss the merits of a first base umpire going out vs staying in for this play.

Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Mike Muchlinski Exits The Bronx

HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski left Sunday's #Astros-#Yankees game in New York after a foul ball to the head.

In the top of the 1st inning, with none out and none on, on the second pitch of the game, Astros batter Michael Brantley fouled a first-pitch 91.9-mph fastball from Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes into Muchlinski's traditional style facemask. Muchlinski remained in the game until the 3rd inning, at which time he was exited.

2B Umpire and Crew Chief Todd Tichenor replaced Muchlinski behind home plate while 1B Umpire John Libka and 3B Umpire Alex Tosi remained in the field.

Relevant Injury History: Mike Muchlinski has previously left a game due to head injury.

> On June 19, 2014, Muchlinski left the White Sox-Twins game after a foul ball to the mask.

Last Game: June 26 | Return to Play: TBD | Time Absent: TBD | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 085 - Nestor Ceja (2; David Bell)

HP Umpire Nestor Ceja ejected Reds manager David Bell (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Reds-#Giants game. With two out and one on (R2), Reds batter Matt Reynolds took a 0-2 fastball from Giants pitcher John Brebbia for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.89, pz 2.13) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 10-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Nestor Ceja (103)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

Nestor Ceja now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 6).

Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.29 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 85th ejection of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 41st manager ejection of 2022.

This is Cincinnati's 1st ejection of 2022, T-4th in the NL Central (CHC 4; STL 3; PIT 2; CIN, MIL 1).

This is David Bell's 1st ejection since August 29, 2021 (Edwin Moscoso; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Nestor Ceja's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 22 (Phil Nevin; QOC = N-c [Balk]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants, 6/26/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 077-84 - Bacon, Johnson (SEA-LAA Brawl)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Angels pitcher Andrew Wantz and manager Phil Nevin (throwing at Mariners batter Jesse Winker), 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Mariners LF Winker, manager Scott Servais (fighting), and HP Umpire Bacon ejected Mariners SS JP Crawford, CF Julio Rodriguez, and Angels pitcher Ryan Tepera and pitcher Raisel Iglesias (fighting) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Mariners-#Angels game. With one out and none on in the top of the 1st inning, Mariners batter Julio Rodriguez took a first-pitch fastball from Wantz for a called first ball, resulting in warnings. In the top of the 2nd, with none out and none on, leadoff batter Winker took a first-pitch fastball from Wantz for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in the ejections of Wantz and Nevin for throwing at Winker after warnings were issued, and inciting a benches-clearing brawl. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Winker on the hip, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

These are John Bacon (70)'s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th ejections of 2022.

These are Adrian Johnson (80)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2022.

John Bacon now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 6*[2 AAA + 0 Irrecusable] = 12).

Adrian Johnson now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 8).

Crew Chief Adrian Johnson now has 11 points in Crew Division (3 Prev + 8 Irrecusable Call = 11).

These are the 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, and 84th ejections of the 2022 MLB regular season.

These are the 39th and 40th manager ejections of 2022.

These are the 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th player ejections of 2022.

This is Los Angeles' 4-7th ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA 7; HOU 5; OAK 3; TEX 0).

This is Seattle's 4-7th ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA 7; HOU 5; OAK 3; TEX 0).

This is Andrew Wantz's first career MLB ejection.

This is Phil Nevin's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 21 (Nestor Ceja; QOC = N-c [Balk]).

This is Jesse Winker's 1st ejection since August 29, 2020 (Dan Bellino; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is Scott Servais' 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 6 (Chris Guccione; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is JP Crawford's first career MLB ejection.

This is Julio Rodriguez's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 31 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Tepera's 1st ejection since August 7, 2018 (Ed Hickox; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Raisel Iglesias' first career MLB ejection.

These are John Bacon's 1st ejections since August 27, 2020 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

These are Adrian Johnson's 2-3rd ejections of 2022, 1st since May 3 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y-c [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels of WWE, 6/26/22 | Video as follows: