Jeff Passan expects ‘long’ suspension for Mariners’ Victor Robles

Update 1:54 p.m. Tuesday: MLB issued a 10-game suspension for Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles. For more, click here for a full story.

There’s no certainty yet what type of punishment will be handed down to Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles for throwing his bat toward the mound after a high and inside fastball Sunday while playing for Triple-A Tacoma on a rehab assignment.

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We at least have heard an MLB insider weigh in on what may happen with Robles, though.

During the weekly Tuesday conversation with ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, Passan was asked by host Mike Salk about his view on Robles’ outburst.

“That was bad,” Passan responded. “It was embarrassing and immature and wrong, and I think he knew that.”

Passan appears to be right about Robles’ remorse, as the 28 year old shared a written apology on his Instagram account hours after the incident.

Mariners’ Robles apologizes for throwing bat as likely suspension looms

Robles, who technically swung at the pitch before he threw his bat, has officially been hit three by a pitch three times in 18 plate appearances on his current rehab assignment. The pitcher on Sunday, Joey Estes, had also previously hit Robles twice since last season.

Additionally, Robles mentioned in his apology that he has a “physically and mentally challenging” year due to missing most of the Mariners’ season with injury as well as the recent death of his mother.

“I’ve been doing my best to hold it together. That’s not an excuse, but some context I feel you deserve to understand where I’m coming from,” Robles wrote.

Even with that context, Passan thinks Robles’ return to the M’s could be delayed by a lengthy suspension.

“Clearly he’s been going through a lot. All of us go through a lot and we don’t throw things at other people,” Passan said. “The suspension, I fear, will be long and it will be entirely justified.”

Robles last played for the Mariners on April 6, when he suffered a fractured humeral head and dislocated shoulder when he made a catch while running into protective netting in the right field corner of San Francisco’s Oracle Park. He started the year as Seattle’s leadoff man and right fielder in what was to be his first full season after signing a two-year extension with the M’s during the 2024 campaign.

Robles began a rehab assignment with the Tacoma Rainiers on Aug. 12 and was due to receive 40 to 50 plate appearances before being activated by the Mariners.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins Brock and Salk at 8:30 a.m. each Tuesday during the baseball season. Catch Brock and Salk live from 6-10 a.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

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