CLEVELAND: Left-handed reliever Nick Hagadone never made it to Columbus, where he was optioned by the Indians after giving up two runs in two-thirds of an inning on Friday.
According to General Manager Chris Antonetti, Hagadone, angry over his poor pitching performance, struck an object with his left hand after being removed from the game against the Rays, leading to dire consequences in more ways than one.
“Nick has been placed on the minor-league disqualified list because of a self-inflicted injury to his pitching hand,” Antonetti said Sunday. “He will see Dr. [Thomas] Graham Monday and we’ll have an update on Tuesday.”
The disqualified list is used to discipline players for violations of their contracts. Teams can keep players on the list for an indeterminate time, up to two years. While they are on the list, they do not receive their salaries or major-league service time.
“We’re certainly disappointed by Nick’s reaction,” Antonetti said. “He was frustrated after coming out of the game. We wish it had happened differently, but he was very remorseful afterward.”
Antonetti did not describe the injury but said, “It will keep him out for awhile.”
The players union can file a grievance if it thinks the punishment is unreasonable. Antontetti said he didn’t know whether the union was contemplating such action.
“You can file a grievance over anything,” he said.
It is not clear whether the union has jurisdiction if a player has been placed on the disqualified list after he has been sent to the minor leagues. If so, the union probably would argue that Hagadone was optioned to Triple-A to avoid the union’s intervention.
Teams rarely use the disqualified list and only for player misconduct they feel is egregious.
The Cubs placed Carlos Zambrano on the disqualified list for 30 days in 2011 after he was ejected for hitting Chipper Jones in a 10-4 loss to the Braves, then packed his belongings and left the clubhouse, telling attendants he was “retiring.” Zambrano did not retire.
In 2010, the Mets placed closer Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list for allegedly striking the grandfather of his children at Citi Field and tearing a ligament in his thumb that required surgery.
In Rodriguez’s case, the club voided his contract for the rest of the season.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SheldonOckerABJ.
