Rays’ Edwin Uceta Suspended 3 Games for Intentionally Targeting Nick Castellanos

Edwin Uceta, a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, received a three-game suspension and a fine on Wednesday for deliberately throwing a pitch at Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos. Castellanos reacted to the incident by likening Uceta’s actions to a child’s tantrum, saying, “that’s like my 2-year-old throwing a fit.”

In addition to Uceta’s suspension, Rays’ manager Kevin Cash was also penalized with a one-game suspension along with an undisclosed fine. Major League Baseball’s senior vice president for on-field operations, Michael Hill, issued these sanctions.

Cash’s suspension was set to take effect during the Rays’ game on Wednesday night against the Phillies. Should Uceta choose to appeal, the enforcement of his suspension would be postponed until the appeal is resolved, as decided by MLB special assistant John McHale Jr.

The incident occurred in the eighth inning with a tied score of 4-4 and runners at second and third with one out. Uceta entered the game in relief. In rapid succession, the Phillies’ Cal Stevenson hit a two-run double, Buddy Kennedy contributed an RBI single, Trea Turner struck a two-run homer, and Bryce Harper hit his third double of the game.

Following this series of events, Castellanos was struck near his left hip by Uceta’s pitch—a sinker clocked at 96.2 mph. Castellanos immediately pointed at Uceta and began shouting, which prompted both benches to clear. Uceta was subsequently ejected by crew chief James Hoye, who issued a warning to both teams.

Reflecting on the incident after the Phillies secured a 9-4 victory, Castellanos expressed his frustration, suggesting that Uceta’s motives were more about anger than skill. He stated, “You’re frustrated and you’re going to throw at somebody. That’s like my 2-year-old throwing a fit because I take away his dessert before he’s finished.”

This season, Castellanos has been hit by pitches a total of nine times. In his entire Major League Baseball career, he has endured 49 hit-by-pitches.

“When I got into the box, I wasn’t even swinging because I felt there was a chance that that could happen, and it happened,” Castellanos continued. “I think he was just (angry) that his numbers got messed up.” He went on to mention that Uceta had good performance statistics prior to their match-up and that it was apparent the pitcher was frustrated. “I was digging in and I’m like, I’m going to take this pitch right here to see if he’s around the plate, and it wasn’t anywhere near the plate,” he added.

Uceta, who is 26 years old, has not hit a batter at any point during the current season until the incident involving Castellanos.

Responding to the accusations, Uceta maintained that he was not trying to hit Castellanos intentionally. “I was just trying to locate my pitch,” he stated, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. “I wasn’t trying to do it on purpose.”