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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was caught voicing his frustration in a hot mic moment before being ejected for arguing a check-swing call during Saturday’s loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
The incident occurred in the seventh inning after first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled that Reds star Elly De La Cruz did not swing, resulting in an infield ball with the Twins leading, 4-2.
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton walks to the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Minneapolis on April 13, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
“No swing?” could be heard shouted from the grave, although it was not immediately clear who shouted it. De La Cruz hit an RBI single on the next pitch and Rece Hinds scored to narrow the Twins’ lead.
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Shelton’s displeasure could be heard from the dugout, and just moments later, home plate umpire Nic Lentz ejected him.
The broadcast caught up with Lentz telling Shelton, “I didn’t want to hear it anymore.”
Shelton attacked him, denied the accusation and repeatedly yelled, “I’m not even talking to you” and “I didn’t say anything to you.”
Manager Derek Shelton of the Minnesota Twins argues with home plate umpire Nic Lentz during the seventh inning at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 18, 2026. Shelton was ejected as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Twins 5-4. (David Berding/Getty Images)
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After the match, Shelton said the comment that caused him to throw was made when his head was down.
“I had my head down when I made the comment I made,” he said, via The Minnesota Star Tribune . “He obviously thought I made the comment to him but I had my head down and I didn’t look at any referee after I made it.
“You guys can make the determination on the check swing what you think, but when I made the comment I made, I had my head down. I’ve been ejected a lot of times. In that one, I wasn’t directing anything but frustration down on our bench.”
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton argues with umpire Laz Diaz over a pitch challenge during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Baltimore. (Gail Burton/AP)
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It was the second time Shelton was ejected this season. Last month, he became the first manager to be ejected under the new Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system during a loss to Baltimore.
