Major League Baseball

MLB looking at Yankee-ump spat

Published Jun. 1, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Major League Baseball is reviewing an unusual spat between Yankees catcher Russell Martin and umpire Laz Diaz.

Martin said Diaz, the home plate umpire in the Yankees' 6-5 win over the Angels Wednesday night, punished him for arguing balls and strikes by refusing to allow him to throw new baseballs back to the pitcher.

"Laz Diaz is a d***. Write it hard," Martin shouted as he came into the clubhouse after the game.

Martin could now face discipline for his outburst, while MLB could also look into Diaz's purported actions.

"We are constantly reviewing the interactions between players and umpires and will review this as well," said MLB spokesman Pat Courtney.

Martin said the ball ban was put into effect after he and Diaz exchanged some words over strike calls in the second or third inning.

"He said that it was a privilege that I had to earn, for me to throw the ball back," Martin said. "That's never happened to me before. I even told him, because there's guys on base, I like to keep my arm loose. Nope. 'I'm not letting you throw the ball back.'"

The six-year veteran said he has never had an issue with Diaz, who has been a major league ump since 1995.

"Even at the end of the game, after I got hit in the neck, I'm like, 'Can I throw the ball back now?' He's like still, no. I'm like, 'you're such a d***. You're a d***, dude. Unbelievable.'"