Aroldis Chapman crossed the line.
Chapman received a two-game suspension and an “undisclosed fine” for what MLB deemed “inappropriate conduct” during Monday’s game between the Mets and the Pirates. The league announced Thursday.
The former Yankees closer was ejected in the middle of the eighth inning after allowing a two-run double in the Mets’ 6-3 win.
The southpaw went 3-all in Monday’s game against the team, striking out Jeff McNeil, but everything went wrong with a wild pitch with one out.
Chapman then walked left-hander DJ Stewart, allowed a second steal, and Harrison Bader hit a two-run double to give the Mets the lead for good.
After the double, Chapman walked toward home plate to receive a new ball from the catcher and said something to home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso, resulting in his ejection.
Then Chapman stuck his arm out and said, “Why?” gesture.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton then went to the plate and discussed the situation with the umpire.
Chapman ended up allowing three earned runs but only one out.
“He obviously said something that the referee didn’t like,” Shelton told reporters.
Chapman can appeal his suspension, which could delay the start of the suspension or reduce it or eliminate it entirely while the arbitration process progresses. Or he could begin serving his two-game suspension on Friday, when the struggling Pirates play the Red Sox.
The 36-year-old was off to a strong start to the season before Monday’s implosion, allowing no earned runs through the first 5 1/3 innings, although he did allow a save last Saturday.
Monday’s blip left him with a 4.76 ERA and 1.412 WHIP on the young season.
Chapman signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Pirates this offseason after winning a title with the Rangers last season following a trade from the Royals.
