Pirates’ Rodolfo Castro Suspended One Game by MLB for Cellphone Incident

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro was suspended for one game by Major League Baseball on Monday for violating the league’s electronics device policy.

Castro had a cellphone in his back pocket during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Tuesday in Phoenix. The phone fell out of his pocket when he slid into third base.

“None of this was intentional, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” Castro told reporters through team translator Mike Gonzalez at PNC Park on Tuesday before the Pirates played the Boston Red Sox.

Castro also was fined an undisclosed amount.

The 23-year-old said that he was a little bit surprised to hear the league handed him the discipline, though he respects the decision.

Still, the suspension won’t take effect immediately as Castro has decided to appeal the ban. Thus, the discipline will be held in abeyance until he has a hearing.

“I just really want MLB to hear my version of the story and make sure they understand my heart behind everything,” he said.

Castro is hitting .239/.300/.402 with two home runs in 27 games this season and has collected six hits in his last three games.