Report: MLB 'looking into' Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro's cellphone incident
What was explained as an innocent mistake by Pittsburgh Pirates youngster Rodolfo Castro Tuesday night during the team's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks could reportedly cost the infielder some cash, pending an investigation by MLB.
Castro drew a walk in the top of the fourth inning on Tuesday and advanced to third on a single by Oneil Cruz. During his slide into third base, the 23-year-old's iPhone fell out of his back pocket and was noticed by third base umpire Adam Hamari.
Castro handed his phone to Pirates third base coach Mike Rabelo and aside from an interesting postgame story, the incident seemed to be over with. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Wednesday afternoon though that the native of the Dominican Republic now could be facing disciplinary action.
MLB has been attempting to crack down on technology being used on the field since the infamous Houston Astros' cheating scandal that involved them using live TV feeds to steal opposing teams' signs during their run to the 2017 World Series championship and part of the 2018 season. Then-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and then-manager A.J. Hinch were suspended for the 2020 campaign and the organization was fined $5 million and forfeited their first- and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021.
Castro was only recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, but has played in 22 big league games this season. He has gone just 14-for-74 with one home run and four RBIs in 2022 thus far.
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