MLB Announces Punishment for Padres Star on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 3:18 PM ET

The San Diego Padres season ended prematurely once again in 2025, as the Chicago Cubs eliminated the club in the NL wild card round. The Padres offense struggled to produce, scoring just five total runs across three postseason games.

The season ended in controversy on Thursday, Oct. 2, when Xander Bogaerts, San Diego’s most productive hitter in the series, struck out on a pitch tracked outside the zone in the top of the ninth inning of Game 3, with no outs and the Padres trailing 3–1.

As the Cubs celebrated at Wrigley Field, Bogaerts, teammate Jose Iglesias and multiple coaches were caught on video by a fan arguing with the umpires as they exited toward the visiting dugout.

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Just moments earlier, Jackson Merrill had hit a home run, giving San Diego a surge of momentum that quickly unraveled. The league responded to the postgame confrontation on Friday, eight days later. “Jose Iglesias was suspended a game and Xander Bogaerts was fined for their actions towards the umpires after their wild card loss, the league announces,” wrote Eno Sarris of The Athletic.

The amount Bogaerts was fined is currently undisclosed. Iglesias will enter unrestricted free agency in the offseason and would likely serve his suspension with whichever team he signs with next season, assuming he does not retire. He will have the opportunity to appeal.

Jose Iglesias was suspended a game and Xander Bogaerts was fined for their actions towards the umpires after their wild card loss, the league announces.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) October 10, 2025

As for Bogaerts, the 33-year-old veteran just finished the third year of his 11-year, $280 million deal signed with San Diego ahead of the 2023 season. Bogaerts has not quite lived up to the expectations of the contract but will continue to get opportunities as San Diego’s starting shortstop for the foreseeable future. Over 136 games during the regular season, Bogaerts owned a .263 batting average, .328 on-base percentage, .720 OPS, 11 home runs and 53 RBIs.

The Padres are headed for a busy offseason, but their ability to make significant moves may be limited. Several notable free agents are set to hit the market, yet San Diego’s payroll remains bloated, largely due to Bogaerts’ contract, which has not been matched by his on-field production.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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