St. Louis Cardinals’ Phil Maton broke his hand punching a locker in frustration after giving up a hit to his younger brother Nick, ending his season and playoff hopes in 2022.
Previously, MLB player Phil Maton missed the 2022 playoffs due to a self-inflicted injury.
The incident happened when Maton, then playing for the Houston Astros, punched a locker in frustration after a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on October 5, 2022, resulting in a fractured finger.
What made the moment even more personal was that one of the hits he gave up was to his younger brother, Nick Maton, a utility player for the Phillies at the time.
MLB Player Phil Maton’s Impulsive Decision Cost Him A Chance To Pitch In The Playoffs!
During the final game of the 2022 regular season, Phil Maton came into the game as a relief pitcher for the Astros.
He faced his brother Nick for the first time in a major league game. Nick hit a single off Phil, and Phil also allowed another hit and two runs in the inning.
Even though the Astros won the game 3-2, Phil was upset with his performance. After the game, he punched a locker, which caused a serious injury to his right hand.
The punch resulted in a fractured fifth metacarpal, and Maton needed surgery the next day, which ended his season and kept him out of the 2022 playoffs.
While Phil initially smiled and joked about giving up the hit to Nick when talking to reporters, he later admitted he was upset with how the inning went.
The locker punch was a heat-of-the-moment decision that cost him a chance to pitch in the playoffs.
Reflecting on the incident, Maton admitted that his reaction was short-sighted and selfish.
He called the act “selfish” and said he regretted letting his frustration get the better of him. Despite his absence, the Astros went on to win the World Series, earning Maton his first championship ring.
However, missing the postseason was a major disappointment for him, as he had been a dependable part of the team’s bullpen, finishing the season with a 3.84 ERA across 67 games.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- St. Louis Cardinals’ Phil Maton married Katelynn Cook Maton in San Diego on November 13, 2021. She has a background in kinesiology and physical therapy.
- He has an estimated net worth of $3 million, largely from his MLB contracts.
