ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
MLB finds no wrongdoing after Prieto wore smart watch in dugout
Oct 6, 2017, 2:43 PM | Updated: 2:45 pm
(Screenshot)
(Screenshot)
The Arizona Diamondbacks and assistant coach Ariel Prieto were fined an undisclosed amount after Major League Baseball conducted an investigation into the wearing of an Apple Watch in the dugout on Wednesday.
The league released a statement Friday saying they forensically examined Prieto’s watch and cell phone and found no evidence of any wrongdoing. The team and Prieto were still fined because wearing such watches are a violation of the league’s on-field rules.
On Thursday when the investigation became known, the team released a statement that Prieto had made an honest mistake.
“Ariel Prieto has assured us that this was a simple oversight and honest mistake,” the team said in a statement Thursday. “The watch he wore last night was absolutely not used in any way related to our game and we will make certain prior to the NLDS that it will not be an issue again. Ariel takes full responsibility and feels terrible that this has been a distraction of any kind.”
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was asked about it Thursday in Los Angeles as the team was preparing for their National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“We asked, found out, and talked to Ariel, and that’s what he told us,” Lovullo said. “And in no way did it impact the game, and in no way is it going to impact the game tomorrow.”
The money from the fines will be donated to hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
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