Chisholm suspended 1 game for in-game social media post, but will appeal

TAMPA -- Jazz Chisholm Jr. lost his cool after being rung up on a called third strike in the seventh inning on Thursday evening, prompting an on-field outburst that resulted in an ejection. Ushered toward the Yankees’ clubhouse, the infielder still had more to say.

Chisholm tapped out a social media message making his viewpoint clear on the call by home plate umpire John Bacon: “Not even [expletive] close!!!!!”

The X post was timestamped 9:24 p.m. ET and later deleted. Chisholm confirmed he sent it as play continued during the Yankees’ 6-3 victory over the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Major League Baseball announced Friday that Chisholm received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his conduct, including his violation of MLB’s Social Media Policy for Major League players.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Chisholm plans to appeal the suspension. Chisholm was in the Yankees' lineup for Friday night's game vs. the Rays.

Told late Thursday that his actions might prompt discipline, Chisholm replied: “I don’t care. I did what I did. I can live up to my responsibilities. It doesn’t matter to me.”

The at-bat that prompted Chisholm’s ejection came with a runner at first base and one out, a full-count fastball from Mason Montgomery that appeared low. Chisholm dropped his bat, believing he’d worked a walk, and immediately began to protest Bacon’s strike three call.

Helmet in hand, Chisholm appeared to tell the umpire that the pitch had not been close. Boone interceded, attempting to guide Chisholm back toward the dugout, but not quickly enough to avoid an ejection.

It was the fifth ejection of Chisholm’s career, and his first as a Yankee.

“We’re ballplayers. We’re in the heat of the moment,” Chisholm said. “We want to win every at-bat, we want to win every pitch. When you work that hard, and it doesn’t go your way, and you really think it’s a ball, you get fired up. And I’m very passionate about my game.”

It is worth noting that Montgomery’s 2-2 pitch to Chisholm was ruled a ball, but the Rays thought it nicked the outside corner.

Boone said he would have preferred to be ejected instead of Chisholm, who was replaced by Oswald Peraza at second base for the final innings.

“I’d like to be the one going there,” Boone said. “It happens every now and then, and hopefully in the future that’s me. I don’t love our players going, but I also understand how difficult that is to lay off a tough 3-2 pitch there. I understand there’s going to be some emotion there.”

Long after the ejection, Chisholm said he remained upset over the strike three call, but also at himself for the outburst.

“I’m still mad that it was a ball, but I’m definitely mad at myself for losing my cool,” Chisholm said. “At the same time, that’s what I’ve got these guys in here for. They’ve got my back. I can go back out there tomorrow and it’ll be all right.”