MLB Quietly Ends Review Into Braves’ Coach After Jazz Chisholm Confrontation

The league has closed its review of Saturday’s dugout dustup between Atlanta Braves assistant coach Eddie Perez and New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., sources told Athlon Sports.

A league source and two team officials said that no further action will be taken, and MLB considers the issue resolved. The league refused official comment.

With the Yankees reeling since that series in Atlanta, that confrontation is the least of their problems. At the time, however, the Yankees took it very seriously.

The Yankees wanted MLB to review the incident, which occurred during the Yankees’ 12–9 win at Truist Park, drew scrutiny after Perez appeared to gesture toward his head while reacting to Chisholm’s actions at second base.

Chisholm had been dancing off the bag and, within the rules, possibly signaling pitch location to shortstop Anthony Volpe. The Yankees had been caught on video doing the same agianst the Mariners earlier in the month.

A verbal exchange between Perez and Chisholm followed, leading to speculation, amplified by Yankees broadcasters Michael Kay and Joe Girardi, that the Braves coach may have been referencing retaliation.

Perez, however, denied that to MLB.com, saying, “I was just saying, ‘Be smart.’ I like that guy. He’s one of my favorites… He got mad about it. I don’t know why.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t confirm or deny the intent behind the gesture, but made it clear after the game that threats of headhunting have no place in baseball.

“I hope it didn’t [mean that]… because that would deserve some looking into,” Boone said Saturday.

MLB evidently agreed and, after a brief inquiry, chose not to pursue any punishment.

Chisholm declined to comment when asked about the exchange after the game or the next day. Now the matter is settled and the Yankees can worry about getting the offense back on track and focus on sharpening their defense.