Mariners’ Robles apologizes for throwing bat as likely suspension looms

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles has shared an apology after being ejected from a Triple-A game Sunday for throwing his bat at an opposing pitcher.

More: Seattle Mariners’ Victor Robles throws bat at pitcher in rehab game

Robles, 28, threw his bat and yelled at Las Vegas Aviators pitcher Joey Estes while walking towards the mound after being nearly hit by a pitch Sunday while playing for the Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday. He also threw a box full of bags of sunflower seeds onto the field from the dugout after being ejected.

Robles issued an apology on social media Sunday night with a written statement shared on an Instagram story.

Here is Robles’ full apology statement:

I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for my recent reaction on the field. I let my frustration get the best of me, and I understand how that may have affected not just the game, but the energy and respect we all work so hard to maintain.

Coming off a long rehab and being away from the game for most of the season has been physically and mentally challenging. Adding to that, the recent passing of my mother has been incredibly hard, and 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.

Getting hit 5 times in 15 at-bats added to that pressure, and I reacted in a way I’m not proud of. This game means the world to me, and so do the people who play it. I respect every one of you — my teammates, the opposing players, and everyone in this league.

I’m committed to being better, not just as a player, but as a teammate and competitor. I appreciate your understanding, and I’m grateful to be back on the field doing what I love. Thank you.

It is expected that Robles will be issued a suspension for Sunday’s outburst before he can return to the Mariners. Because it is a unique case of a major league player in a minor league game who doesn’t have a history of in-game incidents, it’s unknown what form a suspension would take. One thing that’s for certain is that any kind of suspension would throw a wrench into Robles’ rehab assignment, on which he was set to get 40 to 50 plate appearances (he has had 18 thus far).

The closest comparison to the incident with Robles was in 2014 when then-Orioles third baseman Manny Machado received a five-game suspension from MLB for throwing his bat after a pitch inside during a game against the Oakland Athletics.

Robles, a veteran outfielder, had been out of action since April 6 when he suffered a fractured humeral head and dislocated shoulder running into protective netting to make a catch in the right field corner at San Francisco’s Oracle Park. He began his rehab assignment with the Rainiers on Aug. 12.

Not only has Robles been hit several times – officially three times – since joining Tacoma last week, but there is history specifically with Estes hitting him. The 23-year-old right-hander has faced Robles six times in the big leagues, all coming last September when the Mariners faced the Athletics. In the first plate appearance, Estes hit Robles with a fastball that was high and inside. Estes also hit him with a fastball last Tuesday in the first game of Robles’ rehab stint.

Robles began this season as the Mariners’ starting right fielder and leadoff hitter. He was a midseason pickup in 2024 by the M’s on waivers from the Washington Nationals, and the former highly-ranked prospect quickly earned a two-year, $9.75 contract extension from Seattle as he slashed .328/.393/.467 for an .860 OPS with 30 steals and 3.1 fWAR in 77 games for the M’s last season.

Robles is under contract with Seattle through 2026 with a $9 million club option for 2027.

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