Rookie third baseman Matt Chapman was ejected from Wednesday’s game in the fourth inning after a testy exchange with Angels catcher Juan Graterol.
Graterol and Oakland outfielder Mark Canha had exchanged words in the second inning with Khris Davis at second base and Chapman at first, leading to speculation that perhaps the Angels thought baserunners were stealing signs. Home-plate umpire Mike Everitt got between Canha and Graterol, and on the television replay, Everitt can be heard telling the Angels’ dugout that there were accusations of stealing signs.
When Chapman came up, he said something to Graterol, Graterol sprang to his feet and Everitt immediately separated them, then went over to Chapman and had what appeared to be some firm words for him.