Pirates’ Rodolfo Castro suspended one game for playing with a phone in his pocket
On August 9, Rodolfo Castro was playing the Diamondbacks with his phone in his pocket. In the MLB electronic devices are prohibited on the field.
A week ago Pittsburgh Pirates second basebam Rodolfo Castro surprised the baseball world when he slid into third base and a cell phone fell out of his pocket during a game against the Diamondbacks. The league deliberated an appropriate suspension and on Tuesday announced Castro’s punishment.
Major League Baseball reported that Castro will be suspended for a game after entering the diamond with an electronic devices. The Dominican from Pittsburgh will appeal the decision, so he can remain active until he attends a hearing.
“I don’t think there’s a professional ballplayer who plays with the intention of taking out his phone,” he explained to ESPN after the incident. “It’s something horrible that happened to me. Obviously, there was no intention.”
The sanction comes from the MLB’s policy against the use of electronic devices. The Athletic pointed out that cell phones and other devices cannot be used on the field or in the dugout, the only exception is league-approved tablets.
Brief stint in the Majors
Rodolfo Castro debuted in the Major Leagues in April 2021. This season he has appeared in 27 games, and has two home runs and five RBIs.
Prior to the incident with the phone, Castro was at the Triple-A branch of the Pirates. The game against the Diamondbacks was his first since getting called up to the big leagues.