Alex Verdugo needed to watch most of the Red Sox’ 7-3 loss to the Astros on Tuesday night in the visitors’ clubhouse at Minute Maid Park.
The Red Sox outfielder was tossed by home plate umpire Pat Hoberg in the top of the fourth inning, prompting Alex Cora to throw rookie Wilyer Abreu into a sudden, unscripted MLB debut in right field.
But Verdugo’s exit was not prompted by a verbal barb at the plate over balls and strikes. Rather, Verdugo was given the hook while sitting in the Red Sox dugout, taking out Boston’s leadoff hitter still early in the contest.