Edwin Encarnacion Suspended for Bumping MLB Umpire

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion has been suspended one game for bumping an umpire in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians on July 1, MLB announced on July 3.

Encarnacion continued to play after he announced he would appeal the suspension, but he ultimately dropped the appeal and will serve the suspension on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm announced.

The 33-year-old designated hitter/first baseman was ejected by home plate umpire Vic Carapazza after arguing a called third strike. Manager John Gibbons and catcher Russell Martin were also thrown out after expressing frustration with Carapazza's calls.

Encarnacion took a 3-2 pitch from Josh Tomlin that appeared off the plate outside and began walking to first base as Carapazza rung him up. Angered by the call, Encarnacion threw his bat to the ground and said something to the umpire's face before being tossed. He then charged in Carapazza's direction, bumping him slightly from behind.

Per Chisholm, Martin said afterward:

"

It's tough as a player when the umpire makes a mistake, you say your piece about it and then you get thrown out for being right. It's tough. I think umpires just need to sometimes take a deep breath and not flip the switch too quick.

Eddy didn't really need to get thrown out in that situation either. Hopefully he gets talked to and the veteran umpires kind of tell him that there's a certain way to do things, but we'll see. It's over so, can't do anything now.

"

Making contact with an umpire is a near-automatic suspension within the MLB purview. James Loney, Joey Votto and David Ortiz each got one-game bans last season for similar actions. Bryce Harper landed a one-game suspension this season in part for hurling an expletive at an ump after being thrown out.

It seemed unlikely that Encarnacion's appeal would be successful, so it was wise to drop the appeal heading into the All-Star break. 

Encarnacion currently leads MLB in runs batted in (80) and is tied for fourth in home runs (23).