Mariners’ Victor Robles Ejected for Throwing Bat at Pitcher on Video in MiLB Game

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles was ejected from a minor league rehab assignment game after throwing his bat at the pitcher.

Suiting up for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, Robles got a pitch up and in from the Las Vegas Aviators' Joey Estes. While ruled a strike because he fouled it off, the MLB veteran took clear exception to the fastball and flung his bat toward the mound.

Robles also tossed a bucket of sunflower seeds onto the field after entering the dugout:

Robles posted an apology to social media on Sunday night. He said he "let my frustration get the best of me," citing a number of contributing factors that included the physical and mental strain of an MLB season, the layoff from his dislocated shoulder, and the death of his mother.

The 28-year-old also pointed to the number of times he has been plunked during his rehab assignment. He was hit twice in his first game with Tacoma on Aug. 12 and had another hit-by-pitch the following day.

When you've been sidelined for four months, the last thing you want is to suffer another injury.

Robles may have had a bone to pick specifically with Estes as well. The right-hander accounted for the first of the two HBPs in the Aug. 12 meeting, and he plunked Robles to lead off a game between the Mariners and Oakland Athletics last September.

Granted, control has been an issue for Estes at times this season. He walked six batters in seven innings across two starts for the Athletics earlier this year, and he's issuing 2.3 free passes per nine innings for Las Vegas. For his career, he has hit 28 batters in 95 minor league appearances.

The Rainiers have Monday off and will kick off a six-game series with the Oklahoma City Comets on Tuesday. They aren't scheduled to play the Aviators the rest of the way.