Jorge López's DFA from Mets Sparks Criticism of Organization's Handling of Spanish-Speaking Players

Former MLB catcher Michael McKenry slammed the Mets for their poor treatment of López, a Puerto Rican pitcher who was designated for assignment after an emotional outburst in which he was believed to have called the team "the worst in the whole f---ing MLB."

Jorge López's ejection from Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies has ignited a firestorm of controversy, prompting former MLB catcher and current Pittsburgh Pirates analyst Michael McKenry to criticize the New York Mets for their handling of the situation.

López's outburst came after he was ejected for throwing his glove into the stands. In the ensuing interview with the media, López was believed to have made derogatory remarks about the Mets, calling them "the worst team in probably the whole f---ing MLB."

However, López later clarified on Instagram that he was referring to himself as "the worst teammate," not the team. McKenry, a Spanish-speaking player himself, expressed his concern that the Mets did not provide López with an interpreter during the interview.

"That really boggled my mind because the way they handled that as an organization was very poor," McKenry said on OutKick's "Hot Mic." "What I mean is you have a guy [where] Spanish is his second language, and you have no interpreter there."

McKenry pointed out that López, a Puerto Rican native, is fluent in English but may have felt more comfortable using Spanish in an emotional situation. He also highlighted the importance of providing interpreters for Spanish-speaking players to ensure that their intentions are accurately conveyed.

"The most I learned about Spanish was not the good stuff," McKenry said. "So, he's going to go in a direction that he knows and feels comfortable with."

McKenry acknowledged that López's actions were unacceptable, but he emphasized the need for understanding and support, especially considering the personal challenges López is facing with his son's health.

"If you know anything about his story, he has some issues off the field. He has a kid that's going through a lot," McKenry explained. "So, he's dealing with more than most people have to."

McKenry believes that the Mets have failed to adequately support López and other players who have struggled with off-field issues.

"I feel like that's what the Mets have been doing over and over again – just throwing guys to the wind," he said.

The Mets have a long history of being associated with dysfunctional behavior on and off the field. Despite high expectations after the addition of star players like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, the team has underperformed significantly.

McKenry believes that the Mets' ownership group made a mistake by prioritizing expensive free agents over building a solid foundation.

"I think they put the cart before the horse," McKenry said. "I think someone that loved the organization and thought they knew best thought they could buy a championship with some older players."

The Mets' current record of 22-33 reflects the ongoing struggles within the organization. López's situation has only added to the sense of dysfunction in Flushing.