Jorge Lopez calls Mets ‘worst team in the whole f–king MLB,’ gets DFA’d after glove-launching tantrum
Jorge Lopez threw his glove into the stands and the Mets promptly tossed him aside.
The reliever was designated for assignment Wednesday night after he angered the team when he flung his glove above the safety netting and into the stands near the home dugout at Citi Field.
He had been ejected by third-base umpire Ramon DeJesus for arguing a Freddie Freeman check swing in the eighth inning of a 10-3 loss to the Dodgers.
Prior to the team announcing the move, Lopez had a bizarre postgame interview with reporters in which he expressed no regret for his actions and seemingly called the Mets “the worst team probably in the whole f–king MLB,” although there was some confusion about what Lopez meant, since the native of Puerto Rico was speaking in English, his second language.
Asked to clarify whether he meant the Mets were the “worst team in the whole f–king MLB,” Lopez said, “Yeah, probably. It looked like [it.]”
Either way, he won’t be on the Mets — the worst team or not — anymore.
Before Lopez created more controversy with his postgame comments, Carlos Mendoza made it clear he was upset about the pitcher’s actions on the field.
“Whenever you go through a stretch like this, you see some emotions from players, but what we saw from Lopez today was unacceptable and we’re gonna address that,’’ Mendoza said. “I understand guys get frustrated at times, but we’re not gonna tolerate that. He’s got to be better.”
Regarding the glove toss, in which Lopez fired his glove underhand into the stands, where it was caught by a fan, the right-hander said, “I don’t regret it.”
Asked afterwards if he had spoken to management about the incident, Lopez said he hadn’t.
Francisco Lindor, who called a team meeting following the loss, said of Lopez’s actions and lack of remorse, “It doesn’t look good.”
“If our manager says it’s unacceptable, it’s unacceptable,’’ Lindor said. “With that being said, sure, I hope [Thursday Lopez] feels completely different. He’s still in the heat of the moment. He’s someone that carries things around a little longer than other players.”
As it turns out, Lopez won’t be with the Mets on Thursday, as they cut loose a player they signed to a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason and could certainly use now, with the bullpen a mess due to injuries and lack of performance.
“Jorge is a good guy inside,” Adam Ottavino said. “Deep down he knows he shouldn’t have done that. We’ll talk. Everybody’s going through stuff.”
Lindor, when asked if he still wanted Lopez on the team, answered, “It’s not up to me,” before adding, “I still love the guy. I feel like he’s a great competitor. If he’s on the team [Thursday], I’ll be happy.”
As it turns out, Lindor and Lopez won’t get that chance.
