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MLB, umpires trade barbs over Machado suspension

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The Major League Baseball Umpires Association isn't pleased with the one-game suspension the league handed San Diego Padres infielder Manny Machado and tweeted a scathing statement regarding the verdict Tuesday.

"Manny Machado received a one-game suspension for contact with an umpire over balls and strikes and violently throwing this bat against the backstop with absolutely no regard to anyone's safety," the tweet read. "Violence in the workplace is not tolerated, and offenders are dealt with severely and even made examples of for the good of its employees, as well as the company itself. Is this truly what MLB wants to teach our youth?"

The MLBUA expanded on its sentiments in a Facebook post, calling the suspension "a slap in the face of all umpires and a disgrace to the game itself."

Later Tuesday, Major League Baseball issued a rebuttal to the umpires' union.

"Manny Machado was suspended by MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre, who considered all the facts and circumstances of Machado's conduct, including precedent, in determining the appropriate level of discipline," the league office said in a statement acquired by AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. "Mr. Machado is appealing his suspension and we do not believe it is appropriate for the union representing Major League Umpires to comment on the discipline of players represented by the players' association, just as it would not be appropriate for the players' association to comment on disciplinary decisions made with respect to umpires. We also believe it is inappropriate to compare this incident to the extraordinarily serious issue of workplace violence."

Machado, who was also fined an undisclosed amount, earned a one-game ban for "aggressively arguing and making contact" with umpire Bill Welke during the Padres' contest against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

Machado filed an appeal of the suspension before Monday's tilt between the Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.

"I didn't think I touched him," Machado said, according to Cassavell. "The video says it all. We're going to appeal it, and we think we've got a good case."

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