Jays reliever Cabrera ejected, dugouts clear late in loss to Rays

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Blue Jays are hoping a “heat of the moment” incident at the end of the seventh inning of Saturday’s loss to the Rays doesn’t result in a suspension to reliever Genesis Cabrera.

Tempers boiled over — and the dugouts cleared — when Cabrera aggressively shoved Rays shortstop Jose Caballero after a mild incident at third base.

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Caballero was tagged out by Jays shortstop Bo Bichette and Cabrera, who was covering behind the bag, gently bumped Caballero after he got up. That prompted Caballero to chirp at Cabrera who responded with a two-handed shove to the face.

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The dugouts emptied shortly after but, perhaps recognizing the senselessness of it all, cooler heads prevailed.

Cabrera was subsequently ejected with further discipline from the league a possibility.

“I think they just kind of ended up in each other’s way for the most part,” Jays manager John Schneider said. “It wasn’t really warranted by anyone. I think as soon as someone puts their hands up, you defend yourself. But there’s no history, there’s no bad blood. It was heat of the moment and it cleared up pretty quickly.”

Cabrera agreed with his manager, saying emotions were amplified but cooled quickly after his palm and glove shot to the face of Caballero.

“I would say it was more of the heat of the moment,” Cabrera said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “We kind of over reacted a little bit. He kind of looked at me and I just reacted.

“Emotions. It’s part of the game sometimes. But it’s over. It’s where it ends. Right there.”

Despite a fairly forceful shove to the face by Cabrera, Schneider said he isn’t expecting further discipline for his lefty out of the ‘pen.

“I hope not,” Schneider said. “Stuff happens sometimes. It was a handled really well by everyone, so I hope not. (The umpires) issued warnings and everyone was fine with that.”

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