MLB says umpires may have made mistake in foul ball saga during ninth inning of Padres-Cubs game

Just about a month into the MLB season, the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies have already fired their managers in Alex Cora and Rob Thompson, respectively. Good moves, or too premature?

Major League Baseball made the rare decision on Tuesday afternoon to address a controversial call in the game between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs on Monday night. 

Padres closer Mason Miller, who’s been all but unhittable to start the 2026 regular season, entered the game with his team leading 9-5. On a 1-1 count, Cubs infielder Matt Shaw hit a weak dribbler down the third base line that teetered on the edge of fair or foul. 

SAN DIEGO PADRES CLOSER MASON MILLER IS AN INSANE HUMAN CHEAT CODE DESTROYING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Padres third baseman Ty France tried to wait for the ball to roll into foul territory, which it appeared, at least from the camera angles, to do. While one portion hovered over the foul line, most of the ball appeared to be in foul territory. But home plate umpire Dan Merzel, who was right on top of the play, called it fair.

Petco Park fans, and Padres manager Craig Stammen, were not happy. And Major League Baseball addressed those concerns, admitting an error was made. 

Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres reacts after striking out Alex Bregman of the Chicago Cubs to end the game at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif., on April 27, 2026. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball appears to say umpires got the controversial call wrong

The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, who covers the Padres, contacted the league office for an explanation of the call on the field. And the league’s response seems to contradict how Merzel ruled.

Lin said that the league pointed him to its Umpire Manual, which says