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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was caught expressing frustration in a heated on-mic moment before being ejected for challenging a checking 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 shouting from the dugout, 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 cut the Twins’ lead.
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Shelton’s displeasure could be heard from the dugout, and moments later, home plate umpire Nic Lentz ejected him.
The broadcast captured Lentz telling Shelton, “I wasn’t going to hear it again.”
Shelton charged at him, denying the accusation and repeatedly shouting, “I’m not even talking to you” and “I didn’t tell you anything.”
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 beat the Twins 5-4. (David Berding/Getty Images)
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After the match, Shelton said the comment that got him kicked out was made while he had his head down.
“I had my head down when I made the comment that I made,” he said, via the Minnesota Star Tribune. “He obviously thought I was making that comment to him, but I had my head down and wasn’t looking at any referee after I made it.
“You can make the decision on the check swing any way you want, but when I made the comment I made, my head was down. I got ejected several times. In that one, I wasn’t directing anything except frustration on our bench.”
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton talks with umpire Laz Diaz about a pitching 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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This was the second time Shelton was evicted this season. Last month, he became the first manager to be ejected because of the new automated ball and strike system (ABS) in a loss to Baltimore.
