If Sean Rodriguez could turn the clock back to Sunday morning, he certainly would. The Rays infielder has been spending time with the team’s Triple-A club in Durham, but he was set to be called back up to the majors on Sept. 1 when teams expand their rosters. Because of a lapse in judgment over the weekend, that won’t be happening.
Rodriguez punched a locker in frustration after Durham’s game on Sunday and fractured his hand. The injury could cost him the rest of the season.
“It was obviously stupid and immature,” he said by phone Monday according to the Tampa Tribune. “I’m just hoping it doesn’t affect the team too much. The minute it happened I regretted it. It was just dumb. It is inexcusable.”
Rays manager Joe Maddon said he understands why a player might get upset — especially after spending time in the minors — but added that it is “unfortunate” he decided to hit something.
“It’s too bad because he fits really well right now,” Maddon said. “We sent him down with specific ideas and instructions, what to work on regarding coming back and when he was coming back. It was all set up. Everything was there and it’s just unfortunate that this happened.”
It’s a shame, but this is becoming an extremely common story across the MLB. We already saw a Red Sox outfielder cut his season short by punching something and Hanley Ramirez give everyone a scare by taking his frustrations out on a cooling fan. For someone like Rodriguez who is 27 years old and looking to establish himself as a viable major leaguer, not being able to control your temper can alter a career path.
Fist bump to FOX Sports Florida’s Dave Scheiber
