MLB: Tigers’ Ian Kinsler says umpire Angel Hernandez should get another job

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler had harsh words Tuesday for Angel Hernandez, saying the veteran umpire should find another job.

A day after being ejected from a game for questioning Hernandez’s calls on balls and strikes, Kinsler told reporters covering the Tigers that Hernandez is a bad umpire who is “messing” with games “blatantly.”

“It has to do with changing the game. He’s changing the game. He needs to find another job, he really does,” Kinsler said.

Kinsler’s comments were reported online by multiple media outlets just before Detroit played the Texas Rangers and early in the game.

Hernandez was the third base umpire Tuesday in Texas, one night after working home plate. Kinsler started at second base for the Tigers.

A normal rotation for the umpires would put Hernandez at second base when the teams play again Wednesday night.

When asked if he was surprised at how quickly Hernandez ejected him in the series opener Monday night, Kinsler responded: “No, I’m surprised at how bad an umpire he is. I don’t know how, for as many years he’s been in the league, that he can be that bad. He needs to re-evaluate his career choice, he really does. Bottom line.”

Hernandez has been a big league umpire for nearly a quarter-century. Last month, he sued Major League Baseball alleging race discrimination.

Kinsler said he has no personal problem with Hernandez, and that he’s not mad at him.

“He just needs to go away,” the four-time All-Star said.

In 2010, an ESPN survey revealed that 22 percent of players asked called Hernandez the worst umpire in the majors.

Kinsler was ejected while batting in the fifth inning of Detroit’s 6-2 loss to the Rangers on Monday night. After taking the first pitch, which he thought was low, Kinsler questioned the call and said he told Hernandez it was only a strike because he called it a strike.

When the next pitch was well outside and called a ball, Kinsler asked Hernandez, “What about that one?” and was ejected.

Kinsler, holding his bat still, then stood face-to-face with Hernandez and had more words with him. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus also got tossed when he came out to argue with the umpire.

In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, the 55-year-old Hernandez, who was born in Cuba and lives in Florida, cited as evidence of alleged discrimination his lack of World Series assignments in the past decade and MLB not promoting him to crew chief.

Hernandez worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005 but has not since. He worked last year’s NL Championship Series along with Division Series in 2011, `12 and `15.

Reds put catcher Devin Mesoraco on the disabled list

Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco will be out three to six weeks after he broke a bone in his left foot Monday.

Mesoraco, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday, was hit by a pitch from Chicago Cubs starter Jose Quintana in the second inning of a 15-5 loss at Wrigley Field.

Mesoraco is hitting .213 in 56 games with six homers and 14 RBIs. He was an All-Star in 2014 when he batted .273 with 25 homers and 80 RBIs, but two hip surgeries and a left shoulder operation limited Mesoraco to 39 games with 95 at-bats in 2015 and 2016. In those two seasons, he had a .158 average and no home runs. The Reds recalled outfielder Phillip Ervin from Triple-A Louisville to fill the roster spot before Tuesday night’s game at Chicago.

Indians’ Andrew Miller expected to return Friday

Cleveland Indians left-hander Andrew Miller is set to pitch one inning of rehab this week before being activated prior to the start of the team’s series in Kansas City on Friday.

Miller has been out since Aug. 2 with right knee patella tendinitis.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona said Miller will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday. Miller is expected to throw one inning. If all goes well, he’ll join the team in Kansas City.

Miller is 4-3 with a 1.67 ERA and two saves in 46 games this season. He had his second blown save of the season in his last outing, giving up a three-run double to Boston’s Eduardo Nunez.

Miller had walked 10 batters in his previous 21 innings before going on the disabled list.

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