Colorado Rockies rookie center fielder Cole Carrigg was removed from the starting lineup after making an obscene gesture toward Atlanta Braves fans during Saturday's 2-1 loss at Truist Park.
The incident occurred in the eighth inning as Carrigg dove for a fly ball hit by Michael Harris II, but he came up empty, allowing the ball to become a two-run double that gave the Braves the lead. As fans directed their displeasure toward Carrigg, he responded by flipping his middle finger toward the stands.
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer addressed the incident postgame, stating that Carrigg's actions were an embarrassment to the organization and that the behavior would not be tolerated. "Cole made a mistake, and he knows that is an embarrassment to the organization and that we don't stand for that," Schaeffer said. "Listen, everybody makes mistakes. It is just one that he has to learn from. It is just that we will not put up with that here."
Carrigg was held out of Sunday's starting lineup but entered the series finale as a pinch hitter, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. He remained in the game defensively, playing center field and shortstop.
Following the game, Carrigg took responsibility for his actions. "First, I apologize to my teammates and the organization, that's not how I want to represent us," Carrigg stated. "That's inexcusable on my part. With that being said, I'm somebody who's going to play at 110 percent every game and give my all to this team and to the game to try to win ballgames. That was a play that I felt could or could not have won the game, so I'm very passionate about that. Braves fans are pretty passionate themselves. Kudos to them. But that gesture can't happen."