Josh Donaldson throws massive shade at Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman

The Yankees were not happy with Blue Jays starter Yimi Garcia for plunking Josh Donaldson. Yet, it could be Donaldson’s feud with Toronto catcher Tyler Heineman that started it all.

Donaldson did admit he had ‘words’ with Tyler Heineman before the at-bat, leading the Yankees to wonder if that had anything to do with the Garcia hit by pitch. New York took the plunking as a warning, while the Jays were surprised at that reaction, as well as the umps’ decision to throw out Garcia.

“I didn’t even know the guy. I didn’t even know that was his name. Never heard of him,” Donaldson said.

Garcia’s ejection was deemed weak by the majority of baseball pundits, especially if there was nothing leading up to such an event. Did the Blue Jays pitcher intend to hit Donaldson?

Blue Jays: Yimi Garcia says he didn’t mean to hit Josh Donaldson

On Wednesday, Garcia spoke with the media and contended that he never meant to hit Donaldson with a pitch, instead blaming the grip of the baseball. It’s a familiar argument we’ve heard from pitchers this season.

“Last night was one of the worst nights of my playing career, regarding the baseball,” Garcia said.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Garcia went on to state that he didn’t want to hit Donaldson and added that the baseballs being used are slippery and dangerous.

In the end, an umpire power trip cost Garcia, and then his pitching coach and manager, to hit the showers early. Aaron Judge would give the Yankees the win, 6-5, on a walk-off home run.