Red Sox manager John Farrell suspended one game for poking umpire
Red Sox manager John Farrell served a one-game suspension Tuesday night for his role in a heated exchange with umpire Bill Miller in Saturday night’s loss to the Angels. Bench coach Gary DiSarcina filled in as manager against the Twins.
Farrell got nose to nose with Miller in an argument that was ignited when Sox reliever Fernando Abad was called for a balk in the seventh inning. Farrell maintained that the Angels’ Kole Calhoun called time before Miller called the balk. During the argument, Farrell made contact with Miller, poking him in the chest.
“Given what transpired the other night, I’m not surprised by it,’’ Farrell said Tuesday. “There was some accidental contact during the argument. So, it’s a one-game suspension.’’
Farrell said Major League Baseball didn’t offer any word on whether the ruling on the field was correct. But he said made it clear that he still disagreed with the call.
“I haven’t received any further determination or review of what transpired,’’ Farrell said. “But my stance remains steadfast. I still firmly believe that time was called. I wasn’t arguing the balk, I was arguing the timing of it. And as I reiterated today to those that I spoke with that I still stand by my side of the argument. Unfortunately, there was contact made.’’
The explanation Miller gave after the game was that “the batter does not call time. The umpire calls time. I don’t think that has anything to do with the pitcher starting and stopping his motion, and that’s what we had on the field.’’
[fragment number=0]
Farrell said he didn’t know whether any disciplinary action was taken against Miller.
“I can’t answer that because none of it is ever public,’’ Farrell said. “So I don’t know if there was anything levied on the other side.’’
But Farrell did say he would like to see more transparency regarding umpires’ decision-making.
“I think there have been strides made in that way with the pool reporter being able to go and get postgame comments,’’ he said. “Not too long ago, that wasn’t even allowed. So, yeah, I think everyone in uniform would prefer that to be made public. Whether or not that happens, I don’t know that. But that would be a choice that I would make.’’
Ramirez out again
Hanley Ramirez was out of the lineup for the second straight game after being struck below the left knee by a 95 mile-per-hour fastball from Angels starter Parker Bridwell on Sunday.
Ramirez took some swings before Tuesday night’s game against the Twins to determine if he’d be available to pinch hit. Farrell described Ramirez’s status as day to day.
“He’s improved today,’’ Farrell said. “He’s responding to treatment.’’
Ramirez is hitting .241 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs. He’s struggled mightily against lefthanders, hitting just .143 with eight strikeouts in 35 at-bats. A year ago, Ramirez dominated lefties with a .346 average and 11 homers.
Farrell said he wouldn’t rule out other options at DH, if necessary.
“Where he was so good against lefthanded pitching last year, that’s been still a work in progress, for lack of a better way to describe it,’’ Farrell said. “So we’re always looking to put the best combination on the field.
“The one thing you can’t turn away from is what Hanley did last year. And while I know that’s last year, we’re still working to get some increased performance from him. I think he’s still a key member in our lineup, the presence he provides, the impact that he’s capable of — and yet we’re still working to get him there.’’
Holt return unclear
Coming off their eight-game trip, the Sox were optimistic about sending Brock Holt out on a rehab assignment last weekend.
But the vertigo symptoms that have kept Holt on the disabled list since April 21 are lingering, and it’s still unclear when he’ll be able to begin the process of working his way back to the field.
“He’s improving,’’ Farrell said. “He’s faced live pitching and has done that multiple times. But given all he’s gone through, he’s not able to go out until those symptoms have completely subsided. So while it’s improving, he’s still dealing with something.’’
Travis gets the start
Sam Travis made his fifth start of the season, spelling Mitch Moreland at first base with the Twins sending lefthander
Hector Santiago to the mound. Travis will get the start again on Wednesday, according to Farrell, with the Twins throwing another lefthander,
Adalberto Mejia. Called up on June 20 for his second major league stint, Travis entered Tuesday’s game hitting .391 in 23 at-bats, seeing the bulk of his action against lefties. Farrell said Travis has been diligent about staying prepared. “As far as his paying attention to the game as it’s unfolding, the pregame work has been consistent, and it’s been extra because of the role that he’s in playing against lefthanded starters,’’ Farrell said. “So for a young guy who’s paying as close attention as he is, hopefully that plays out because when he has been inserted into our lineup here with some days off, he’s swinging the bat very well against lefthanded pitching.’’ . . . Still recovering from a right oblique strain suffered in spring training, Roenis Elias was in Boston on Tuesday. Expected to be part of the rotation in Triple A Pawtucket coming into the season, Elias made one start with Single A Lowell, and since then he’s been limited to throwing live batting practice and simulated games. Farrell said Elias will continue to do so before possibly starting a rehab assignment. “He’s got multiple ones to go through before any determination is made on whether and when he gets activated and at what level,’’ Farrell said. “So he’s still going through the build-up with that right now.’’
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com