Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow have been suspended for the entire season by Major League Baseball for their alleged involvement in a cheating scandal, and a "harsh" punishment is reportedly coming for Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora as well.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline and strongly hinted that Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — would face punishment later. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros.
Manfred said Hinch was aware of the system but did not bring it to the attention of Luhnow. The GM told Major League Baseball he was unaware of the system but Manfred held him accountable for the team's actions. Manfred also said owner Jim Crane was not aware.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that discipline for Cora was "coming," and that it would be "harsh."
The announcement comes nearly a week after the Athletic, citing sources, reported that the Red Sox illegally used their video replay room to steal signs between opposing pitchers and catchers during their 2018 World Series championship season.
According to the report, some Red Sox players visited the replay room during games to get information on sign sequences. However, sources told The Athletic that the team wasn't able to do it during the postseason because of in-person monitors used by MLB in those games.
Sports
News, videos, and rumors on the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Bruins, powered by NBC Sports Boston.
Following the report, the league said it would investigate the claims.
