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Try it freePITTSBURGH — Roberto Ortiz’s strike zone was irking manager Carlos Mendoza even before he got ejected in the bottom of the fourth inning Saturday.
The Mets manager had seen enough after Brandon Waddell delivered a 1-0 pitch to Adam Frazier, the second Pirates batter in the frame.
Still fuming from a call on Mark Vientos in the top of the inning, Mendoza left the dugout and began jawing with Ortiz.
It earned Mendoza his first ejection of the season.
Vientos took a 3-0 pitch that he and Mendoza thought was ball four. After the pitch was called a strike, Vientos was retired to end the inning, leaving a runner on base, with Juan Soto on deck.
Carlos Mendoza is ejected during the Mets’ 9-2 loss to the Pirates on June 28, 2025. X / @SNY“I thought it was ball four,” Mendoza said after the Mets lost 9-2 to the Pirates at PNC Park, leading to a players only meeting after the ugly defeat. “We had one of the best hitters in the league coming up with two on and that completely changed the whole inning there. I just thought it was time for me to protect the players as well.”
Bench coach John Gibbons managed the game’s remainder for the Mets.
Carlos Mendoza is ejected during the Mets’ loss to the Pirates on June 28, 2025. X / @SNY
Carlos Mendoza is ejected during the Mets’ loss to the PIrates on June 28, 2025. X / @SNYBlade Tidwell’s struggles in his latest appearance for the Mets haven’t dissuaded club officials from inserting him into the rotation.
The rookie right-hander allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks over 3 ¹/₃ innings on Friday in a relief appearance after David Petersonwas knocked out in the fifth.
Tidwell, who has pitched to a 10.18 ERA in his three appearances for the Mets, remains on track to start against the Brewers during the next home stand, according to Mendoza.
Sean Manaeawas scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, but a date for his next minor league rehab start hasn’t been set, according to Mendoza.
The left-hander, who is rehabbing from an oblique strain, was scratched from his start last Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse because of discomfort from a loose body in his left elbow.
Mendoza said it’s still to be determined if Manaea’s next rehab start will be his last — he was expected to join the Mets after a final appearance in the minors last week.
Brooks Raley’s rehab assignment was moved from Single-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton.
The lefty reliever, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, isn’t expected back before the All-Star break, according to Mendoza.
