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SAN DIEGO — Manny Machado thought he had called time as the pitch clock wound down to eight seconds. Plate umpire Ron Kulpa thought otherwise and called an automatic strike three to end the first inning.

The San Diego Padres‘ star slugger argued, said something that Kulpa didn’t like and was ejected.

That was merely the biggest drama of the day for the Padres, who blew a four-run lead and lost 8-6 to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the bullpen melted down while trying to preserve Yu Darvish‘s decent season debut.

Machado became the first player ejected in the regular season for arguing after a timer violation, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Machado was adjusting his batting gloves and called time just before the clock ticked from eight to seven seconds. Batters must be facing the pitcher with eight seconds on the clock under new rules adopted for this season to speed the pace of play. They get one timeout per at-bat.

“I called it. As you can see, my hand was up at eight seconds,” Machado said. “I guess it wasn’t good enough to get awarded for it.”

Asked what he said before getting ejected, Machado said: “That’s between me and him.”

Manager Bob Melvin also argued with Kulpa as Machado, who was the designated hitter, was escorted toward the dugout by another umpire.

It was the 10th ejection of Machado’s big league career.

Machado committed the first pitch clock violation during spring training and shrugged it off after getting two hits that day.

This time it was more serious.

“Obviously, he said I called time too late, that I called it at seven seconds,” Machado said. “That’s his opinion. I know what I saw and know what I felt. I knew I had enough time to call that timeout and I just didn’t get it. Obviously, it’s about a feel thing and who’s behind the plate and who’s going to want to grant it to you. I’m just going to continue to do what the rules say.”

Said Melvin: “You’re going to see some of that, and unfortunately it was strike three.”

In better news for San Diego, Fernando Tatis Jr., who has 14 games left on an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, was to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday night. He can be activated on April 20.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2025 MLB All-Star Game: Everything you need to know

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2025 MLB All-Star Game: Everything you need to know

For the first time since the turn of the century, MLB’s All-Star Game will be held in Atlanta — the first ever at Truist Park since its opening in 2017.

All-Star festivities begin July 11 and culminate in the Midsummer Classic on July 15, as the National League looks to gain just its second win since 2013 while the American League aims to extend its dominance.

Following the first phase of All-Star voting, we know the top overall vote-getters in each league — Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani — automatically earned the starting spot at their positions, outfield and designated hitter, respectively. Now, the starting lineups have been revealed, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers leading the way each with three starters, followed by the Chicago Cubs with two. Four players named as starters — Cal Raleigh, Jacob Wilson, Ryan O’Hearn and Pete Crow-Armstrong — are first-time All-Stars.

Stay tuned, as we’ll have everything you need to navigate All-Star Week — from event schedules and full rosters to All-Star Game analysis.

Vote for the All-Star starters: All-Star Ballot 2025

Latest news and analysis

How does MLB All-Star voting work?

2025 MLB All-Star roster predictions, biggest debates

Which slugger will win the HR Derby? Breaking down the field

All-Star schedule

(All times ET)

July 2: MLB All-Star starters reveal at 7 p.m. on ESPN

July 6: MLB All-Star full rosters announced at 5 p.m. on ESPN

July 11: HBCU Swingman Classic at 8 p.m. on MLB Network

July 13: MLB Draft at 6 p.m. on ESPN and MLB Network

July 14: MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game at 1 p.m. on MLB Network

July 14: MLB Home Run Derby at 8 p.m. on ESPN

July 15: All-Star Red Carpet Show at 2 p.m. on MLB Network

July 15: MLB All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on FOX

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Outfielder Pillar retires after 13-year career

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Outfielder Pillar retires after 13-year career

Kevin Pillar, an outfielder who spent the majority of his 13-year major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Pillar confirmed his decision during an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast, about a month after he was released by the Texas Rangers. After rehabilitating from offseason thumb surgery, Pillar played in 20 games for the Rangers – his 10th major league team – with nine hits in 43 at-bats.

Pillar, 36, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 32nd round in 2011 and made his debut in 2013. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants early in the 2019 season, which was his best in the big leagues. He batted .264 with 21 home runs, 87 RBI and 14 steals for the Giants that year, before signing with the Boston Red Sox in 2020.

“You will always be our Superman,” the Blue Jays said in a congratulatory social media post.

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Yankees’ Wells (finger) misses 4th straight start

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Yankees' Wells (finger) misses 4th straight start

TORONTO — Austin Wells was out of the starting lineup for a fourth straight game Wednesday as New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the catcher had recovered from an invasive test for a circulatory issue in his left index finger.

“Wellsy is good to go,” Boone said. “He’ll be in there tomorrow starting, and available tonight.”

Ben Rice was set to catch against Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night after making his second and third starts behind the player this season against the Athletics last weekend.

Outfielder Trent Grisham remained sidelined because of a tight left hamstring but Boone said his condition continues to improve. Grisham left Monday’s game after a cleat caught the turf.

“Yesterday was a good day and so far he even feels like today is better,” Boone said. “If he has another good day today he might be in the lineup tomorrow.”

Boone said Grisham might be available off the bench Wednesday if he felt fine after participating in pregame activity.

Right-hander Luis Gil missed a scheduled throwing session Tuesday because his wife was giving birth, Boone said. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year instead will throw Thursday.

Gil has not pitched for the Yankees this season because of a high-grade lat strain in his pitching shoulder.

Right-hander Clayton Beeter was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday and righty Geoff Hartlieb was designated for assignment.

Beeter was 0-0 with a 1.02 ERA in 16 games at Triple-A, where he struck out 29 batters in 17⅔ innings. Beeter had two saves in three chances.

“He’s been on our board now for a couple of years kind of pushing the envelope to be part of the mix,” Boone said. “He’s really talented. Hopefully he can come up here and carve out a spot for himself in the bullpen.”

Hartlieb made his only Yankees appearance in Tuesday’s 12-5 loss, allowing three runs in one inning.

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