ESPN's Jeff Passan Expects Long Suspension For Seattle Mariners Outfielder

Victor Robles lost his cool on Sunday while rehabbing with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, and Passan told Seattle Sports 710 that he expects him to be gone for a while.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Victor Robles (10) points to the Texas Rangers dugout during the first inning at T-Mobile Park in 2024. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

ESPN's Jeff Passan is fearful that the Seattle Mariners will be without outfielder Victor Robles for quite a while. He made the comments to 'Brock & Salk' on Seattle Sports 710 on Tuesday morning.

The suspension, I fear, will be long and it will be entirely justified,

What will happen with rehabbing #Mariners outfielder Victor Robles after his bat-throwing outburst in a Triple-A game Sunday?

"The suspension, I fear, will be long and it will be entirely justified," ESPN's Jeff Passan said to Brock & Salk.https://t.co/RNc4kDHljH

— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) August 19, 2025

On Sunday, while playing for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, Robles was hit by a ball for the fifth time on his rehab assignment, which only began last Tuesday. Expressing frustration at being hit again, as well as at the injury that has kept him out all season practically, Robles charged the mound and threw his bat at pitcher Joey Estes.

Victor Robles launches his bat at the pitcher after he gets hit for the fifth time, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/7SvSUxnSnw

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 19, 2025

Robles did not make contact with Estes, but the intent was clear, and that will likely factor into his future suspension.

Things to consider

• The major leagues began overseeing all aspects of the minor leagues in 2021, so Major League Baseball will be issuing the disciplinary action, not the Mariners or the Pacific Coast League.

• It's unclear if they will make Robles halt his rehab and begin serving a suspension immediately, that will at least start in the minor leagues, or if they will make Robles serve his entire suspension at the major league-level.

• Robles has no history of disciplinary issues, and that could factor in as well.

• Former top prospect Delmon Young once got 50 games for throwing his bat at an umpire, but he made contact, and had a history. Manny Machado got five games for throwing his bat in the direction of a player in 2014 with the Orioles.

Robles only played 10 games this season before breaking a bone in his shoulder on April 6.

The Mariners are 68-58 and will play the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. PT.

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