According to timesleaderonline.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro was suspended for one game by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for having a cell phone in his back pocket during a game just last week. The penalty included an undisclosed fine and Castro appealed allowing him to play until the process is finished. Castro through an interpreter is quoted in stating, “I just really want MLB to hear my version of the story and make sure they understand my heart behind everything, None of this was intentional, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,”
Castro’s phone came out of his pocket when he dove into third base at Arizona on August ninth. The play drew attention at the ballpark and to fans at home. Castro apologized after the game stating that, “I just remember getting dressed, putting my pants on, getting something to eat, using the restroom,” Castro said after the Pirates lost 6-4 to Arizona. “Never did it ever cross my mind that I still had my cellphone on me.” The MLB cracked down on technology after the Astros used live TV feeds to steal opposing teams’ signs on their way to winning the 2017 World Series championship and part of the subsequent season. Castro has been hitting .239 in 27 games in his second major league season. When asked about the instance, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that, “we respect MLB’s decision.”
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