Roberts: Machado’s throw into dugout ‘unsettling’
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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO — The baseball that San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado threw toward the Dodgers‘ dugout Sunday night — triggering another heated back-and-forth between him and Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty — landed in the vicinity of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Roberts, speaking before his team’s workout Monday, said he didn’t notice it initially but later reviewed an internal video of the throw.
“It was unsettling,” Roberts said. “Obviously I have a relationship with Manny from years past. There was intent behind it. It didn’t almost hit me because there was a net. And that was very bothersome. If it was intended at me, I would be very — it’s pretty disrespectful. So, I don’t know his intent. I don’t want to speak for him. But I did see the video. And the ball was directed at me with something behind it. But I don’t know what led to that.”
Major League Baseball has been in touch with the Dodgers’ security staff and asked for footage of the incident, sources told ESPN, though any punishment seems unlikely. A video showing what appeared to be the incident in question was posted to social media on Monday night by the San Diego Union Tribune.
After Sunday’s Game 2 — a 10-2 win by the Padres that evened the National League Division Series at a game apiece — Machado accused Flaherty of hitting San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. on purpose to begin the sixth inning, an accusation Flaherty vehemently denied. Two batters later, Flaherty struck out Machado and afterward yelled in his direction, telling him to “sit the f— down.”
Machado did not seem bothered by Flaherty’s reaction, instead chalking it up to “competition.” But the two exchanged words when Machado came back onto the field for defense in the bottom of the sixth, seemingly challenging each other to a postgame fight. Flaherty later revealed he was angry that Machado threw a baseball into the Dodgers’ dugout.
Machado initially dismissed the accusation, saying he constantly tosses baseballs into dugouts after pre-inning warmups conclude. But people on the Dodgers who either saw the throw or watched a video feed of it say it was thrown firmly, bouncing before hitting the netting that resides directly in front of where Roberts sits during games, on the home-plate end of the dugout. Machado downplayed the throw on Sunday night but also seemed to hint at his intentions when asked if it’s normal for him to throw unneeded baseballs into the dugout of an opposing team.
“Both dugouts,” Machado said. “They have foul balls, you throw the ball back in there. I mean, when you try to hit our best hitter. Right? Get him out. If you can’t get him out, don’t hit him. Right? They have the best player in the game, right? [Shohei] Ohtani? We don’t go out there and try to hit Ohtani. We try to get him out. Don’t go out there and try to hit my guy.”
“Obviously I have a relationship with Manny from years past. … If it was intended at me, I would be very — it’s pretty disrespectful. So, I don’t know his intent. I don’t want to speak for him. But I did see the video. And the ball was directed at me with something behind it. But I don’t know what led to that.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts
Before signing the first of two long-term contracts with the Padres, Machado played for the Dodgers in the stretch run of the 2018 season, coming over from the Baltimore Orioles to replace injured Corey Seager at shortstop. The Dodgers did not engage with Machado when he became a free agent the ensuing offseason.
Asked if he had any dialogue with Machado before he threw a baseball in his direction, Roberts said: “The only dialogue I had was he was chirping at Jack. And I looked at him and shook my head, making a point that we wouldn’t hit him on purpose to lead off an inning being down two runs.”
“I think he’s using it as fuel,” Roberts added. “As a baseball person, anyone understands that you don’t do that, intentionally put the leadoff man on base with 3-4-5 coming up behind. It just makes no sense.”
Flaherty struck an apologetic tone Monday, acknowledging that “things got out of hand” between him and Machado, adding: “I wish I would’ve just let it go.”
Machado addressed reporters before Roberts’ comments and was not made available afterward. Through a third party, Machado told The San Diego Union Tribune: “I spoke about this last night after the game. I’ve already turned the page, and I’m just looking forward to playing in front of our fans tomorrow and preparing for another tough battle against a very good team.”
Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun will return to Ohio State in 2025, he told ESPN, a big boost to a Buckeyes defense that could have eight players drafted this spring.
Igbinosun did not file paperwork to be eligible for the NFL draft, which was due Friday for Ohio State and Notre Dame players.
“I’m coming back to school to be a first-round draft pick,” he told ESPN.
Igbinosun is a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention cornerback who has been a two-year starter since transferring from Ole Miss. He said the allure of being more of a leader next season played a big role in his decision to return, as he’ll be one of the most experienced members of the defense.
He had nine passes break-ups, two interceptions and a recovered fumble for the Buckeyes this season during the school’s run to the national title. He’ll again be a linchpin of Ohio State’s defense next season as the team projects to return three full-time defensive starters.
Igbinosun said he decided to return after talking over his decision with his mother, coach Ryan Day and cornerbacks coach Tim Walton.
“I get the opportunity to lead and do it all over again,” he said, “and have a bigger role as a leader, as more is going to be expected of me as a senior.”
Igbinosun has all the tangibles the NFL is usually looking for, as he has flashed top-end speed and good instincts. At 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, he has the body type of a long NFL corner.
But the obvious flaw in his game has been penalties. He was the most penalized cornerback in college football this season, getting flagged 16 times in coverage.
“I want to improve on the penalties,” he said. “I had too many, I want to clean that up.”
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