MLB Ejection 013 - James Hoye (1; Rocco Baldelli)

1B Umpire James Hoye ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (illegal substance check/non-ejection of Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Twins-#Yankees game. Prior to the top of the 4th inning, umpires were seen meeting with several members of the Yankees, notably Germán and manager Aaron Boone, following an illegal substance inspection of Germán's hand conducted by Hoye in the middle of the third inning. After the conclusion of this discussion between umpires and New York, Baldelli argued that Germán should have been ejected pursuant to the illegal substance rule, and was himself ejected for his extended argument. Following the game, it was revelaed that Germán had excess rosin on his hands (e.g., OBR 4.01(f) requires a rosin bag be placed on the mound). Rosin is not an illegal substance, so OBR 6.02(c)(7) does not apply, but instead Hoye's "wash your hands" instruction to Germán was akin to a don't-do-that rule, as in don't have excess rosin on your hands, the remedy for which is NOT ejection or removal but simple remediation of performing the required act, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 3-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is James Hoye (92)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7) states: "The pitcher shall not have on their person, or in their possession, any foreign substance...The pitcher may not attach anything to either hand, any finger or either wrist (e.g., Band-Aid, tape, Super Glue, bracelet, etc.). The umpire shall determine if such attachment is indeed a foreign substance for the purpose of Rule 6.02(c)(7), but in no case may the pitcher be allowed to pitch with such attachment to their hand, finger or wrist."

OBR 4.01(f): "Before the game begins the umpire shall ensure that an official rosin bag is placed on the ground behind the pitcher's plate prior to the start of each game."

This is the 13th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th manager ejection of 2023.

This is Minnesota's 1st ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 1; CLE, DET, KC 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 1st ejection since August 23, 2022 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Mound Visit]).

This is James Hoye's 1st ejection since Sept 18, 2021 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y-c [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees, 4/15/23 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Baldelli tossed arguing Hoye's "wash your hands" order to NY's pitcher (MIN/NYY)