The Cleveland Guardians and the Toronto Blue Jays were in the middle of some controversy on Thursday afternoon.
After Guardians starter Tanner Bibee hit Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a pitch, he had to depart the game due to pain.
A few minutes after that, and quite likely in retaliation, Blue Jays’ starter Kevin Gausman hit Jose Ramirez with a pitch with his first offering, also forcing him out of the game.
Bibee’s mishap occurred with the count 2-2, the game 3-0 in favor of Toronto, and a man at second base with one out.
It’s highly unlikely he wanted to do it on purpose.
Gausman, on the other hand, waited until Cleveland’s best player came to the plate and did it on the first pitch.
Bibee explained the situation and implied that the Blue Jays will eventually face the consequences of what they did.
“They didn’t even really try to hide it, but it’s OK. It’ll come back. It’ll come back to them,” Bibee said, per Guardians reporter Chris Assenheimer.
Bibee on the Blue Jays hitting Jose Ramirez: "They didn’t even really try to hide it, but it’s OK It’ll come back. It’ll come back to them."
— Chris AssenheimerC-T (@CAwesomeheimer) June 26, 2025
Bibee said he was trying to get Guerrero to back off the plate a bit, but didn’t want to hit him.
“He’s one of the best hitters in the big leagues. I was trying to throw a sinker in, just like (Jakob) Junis was (Wednesday), and it ran in. You make $500 million dollars you’re not going to be able to lean over the plate,” Bibee stated.
Bibee on hitting Vlad: "He’s one of the best hitters in the big leagues. I was trying to throw a sinker in, just like (Jakob) Junis was (Wednesday), and it ran in. You make $500 million dollars you’re not going to be able to lean over the plate."
— Chris AssenheimerC-T (@CAwesomeheimer) June 26, 2025
As a result of the silent scuffle, both benches were warned, their two best players had to be removed from the game, and there is uncertainty about their status.
It was not a good look for the Blue Jays, though.
NEXT: Guardians Star Leaves Thursday's Game After Being Hit By Pitch
