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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was caught expressing his frustration in a hot moment on the microphone before being ejected for arguing a swing control 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 a ball in the field with the Twins leading, 4-2.
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton walks to the dugout during the first inning of a Boston Red Sox game in Minneapolis on April 13, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
“No swing?” A scream could be heard from the dugout, although it was not immediately clear who screamed 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 just moments later, home plate umpire Nic Lentz ejected him.
The broadcast showed Lentz telling Shelton, “I wasn’t going to listen to it anymore.”
Shelton charged at him, denying the accusation and repeatedly yelling, “I’m not even talking to you” and “I didn’t tell you anything.”
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton argues with home plate umpire Nic Lentz at Target Field in Minneapolis on April 18, 2026. (David Berding/Getty Images)
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After the game, Shelton said the comment that got him ejected was made when 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 the comment, but he had his head down and didn’t look at any referee after making it.
“You guys can make the determination on the check swing as you think, but when I made the comment I made, I had my head down. I’ve been thrown out many times. In that one, I wasn’t directing anything except the frustration on our bench.”
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton argues with umpire Laz Diaz over a pitch challenge during the Orioles game on March 29, 2026, in Baltimore. (Gail Burton/AP)
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This was the second time Shelton was ejected this season. Last month, he became the first coach to be ejected by the new Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system during a loss to Baltimore.
