Edwin Encarnacion suspended one game, will appeal

Major League Baseball has suspended Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion one game for contacting home plate umpire Vic Carapazza on Friday. 


Encarnacion was one of three Blue Jays ejected from the game. Manager John Gibbons was ejected as part of the same incident, his sixth early exit of the season. In extra innings, catcher Russell Martin was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with Carapazza.

The contact between Encarnacion and Carapazza was not necessarily malicious or intentional, and that is likely the argument that Encarnacion will base his upcoming appeal on.

Throughout the argument with Carapazza, Encarnacion held both of his hands behind his back to avoid said contact, but unfortunately for him, “contact with an umpire” has very little room for interpretation. A player either contacts an umpire or he does not, and while Carapazza will surely survive Encarnacion’s slight bump without serious long-term impacts on his health and wellness, this is standard practice for the league.

With the suspension under appeal, Encarnacion will be able to continue playing until that appeal is heard.

Encarnacion leads the American League in RBIs with 73, hitting .262 with 22 home runs through the first 82 games.