The MLB is looking into potential threats that Atlanta Braves assistant coach Eddie Perez may have made toward New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The incident is said to have stemmed from a moment when Perez pointed at his head while talking with Chisholm during a game on Saturday that ended with the Yankees earning a 12-9 victory over the Braves.
Perez, who was seen jawing with the infielder while standing on the steps of the home dugout at Truist Park, had become upset that Chisholm appeared to be relaying signs from second base to his teammate Anthony Volpe, who was at the plate during the sixth inning against pitcher Rafael Montero.
Volpe hit a sacrifice flyball to center field that allowed Giancarlo Stanton to score and moved Trent Grisham to advance to second base and Chisholm to third.
Chisholm was seen making a crying gesture with his hands before waving off Perez. Chisholm was seen during the game’s broadcast in the dugout, still talking about the verbal exchange that had taken place.
Eddie Perez provides an explanation
Eddie Perez had told MLB.com that he wanted the Yankees star to think about his actions, which could’ve been viewed as a threat and insinuated as a potential warning that he may get hit with a pitch the next time Chisholm was at the plate.
‘I was just saying, ‘Be smart.’ I like that guy. He’s one of my favorites,’ The Braves assistant coach told MLB.com about the incident with Chisholm. ‘And he got mad about it. I don’t know why he got mad about it. So, I was like, ‘Take it easy,’ and he started doing some (stuff).’
It is legal to relay signals as long as it is done naturally and without assistance from electronic communication.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone also addressed the situation before the Yankees-Braves game on Sunday.
‘Every team now, from the start of the year to the end, you’re trying to find little advantages out there,’ Boone said. “You’re trying to find little ways to help you win a ballgame.
‘That’s all within the parameters of the rules. Every team we play against is no different and we’re not either. So you’re constantly trying to find advantages where you can and where they present themselves in a certain game. That’s all good.’
Chisholm did not have a comment on Sunday regarding the situation with Perez.
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