Major League Baseball

Mets DFA Jorge López after he calls New York 'worst team in the whole f---ing MLB'

Updated May. 30, 2024 7:09 p.m. ET

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The New York Mets will designate Jorge López for assignment following a series of outbursts on Wednesday.

First, López was ejected in the eighth inning of the Mets' 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shouting at third base umpire Ramon De Jesus over an appeal ruling on Freddie Freeman's checked swing. López threw his glove into the stands on his way off of the field.

When asked during his locker room media availability if he regretted throwing his glove into the stands, López called the Mets "the worst team in the whole f---ing MLB."

"No, I don't regret it. I think I've been on the worst team in the whole f---ing MLB," Lopez said. "Whatever happens, happens. Whatever they want to do. I'll be here tomorrow if they want me. Whatever they want to do. I'm going to keep doing this thing. I'm healthy. I'm ready to come back tomorrow if they want me to be here."

López gave up a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani before his ejection due to arguing a checked swing. 

"It's just emotions. The game, it just takes you there," López said.

López pointed at De Jesus and yelled some more, then dropped the ball and walked off the mound with his jersey untucked. As he approached the Mets' dugout, he tossed his glove high over the protective netting and it landed a couple of rows deep in the stands, where it was snagged by a fan.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called the outburst "not acceptable" and said it would be handled internally.

"It definitely doesn't look good," said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who initiated a players-only meeting in the clubhouse following New York's 15th loss in 19 games.

"If our manager says it's unacceptable, it's unacceptable. I hope tomorrow, [López] feels completely different."

After his cap fell off his head as well, López left it laying in the dirt in front of the dugout and headed for the bench.

"I'm the way I am," he said. "I'm not afraid to be me."

López, however, said he thought his teammates were embarrassed.

"Jorge's a good guy inside. Deep down, he knows he shouldn't have done that, obviously," veteran reliever Adam Ottavino said. "Everybody's going through stuff."

After the game, the Mets began the process of designating López for assignment. They will have seven days to trade or release him, or send him outright to the minors if no other team claims him on waivers.

On Thursday, López posted an apology on his Instagram page — written in both Spanish and English – in which he tried to clarify his post-game remarks.

"First and foremost, I apologize to my teammates, coaches, fans, and front office. I feel that I let them down yesterday, both on and off the field," the lengthy post began.  

"I also want to clarify my post-game remarks, because I had no intention of disparaging the New York Mets organization. During that interview, I spoke candidly about my frustration with my personal performance and how I felt it made me "the worst teammate in the entire league. Unfortunately, my efforts to address the media in English created some confusion and generated headlines that do not reflect what I was trying to express. I wish the team the best and hope God continues to give me strength and guidance in my personal and professional life," López said.

In his first season with the Mets, the 31-year-old López is 1-2 with a 3.76 ERA and two saves in 28 appearances — among the most in the majors. He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with New York in December.

López pitched for three playoff teams last season, going 6-2 with a 5.95 ERA and three saves in 61 relief appearances for the Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles. 

He moved exclusively to the bullpen in 2022 and was a dominant closer for the Orioles during four breakout months that earned him an All-Star selection. Baltimore traded him to the Twins in early August that year and he finished 4-7 with a 2.54 ERA and 23 saves in 67 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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