Manny Machado will be fined after the umpire gave him an unsportsmanlike equipment violation.
The incident occurred during the San Diego Padres' 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
## What happened?
Machado was declared out on what he thought was a check swing, and he responded with a helmet slam.
The home plate umpire Nic Lentz ruled it a strike and ended the inning.
Machado didn’t realize Lentz had made the call until he saw Cardinals players leave the field.
He thought he’d drawn a walk and was already removing his gear.
When he realized the truth, frustration kicked in, and he slammed his helmet on the ground.
## Why it matters for Manny Machado
The fine amount is determined on a case-by-case basis and can range from a few thousand dollars to larger amounts.
Machado escaped a graver punishment with the violation ruling.
The broadcasters pointed out that Lentz could have ejected him from the game for his gesture.
## What comes next?
Machado explained how his sixth-inning at-bat was an important part of the game, saying “It’s a momentum swing”.
The Padres could have loaded the bases with Xander Bogaerts up next.
The Padres could have had the chance to tie the score.
With his pitch count going up, Pallante would have also faced some pressure.
Machado is hitting only .175 this season, with 22 extra-base hits, including 12 homers in 291 plate appearances.
The MLB does not have a definitive rule for check swings, leaving the decision entirely up to the umpire’s discretion.
This lack of a rule has created multiple controversies, including a similar incident involving Trevor Story.