National anthem 'standoff' between Rays and Angels players leads to pregame ejections at Tropicana Field

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

The Los Angeles Angels rolled past the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. But the game was overshadowed by a pregame incident that resulted in three ejections before the first pitch was thrown.

The third-base umpire tossed Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez from the late-afternoon game at Tropicana Field. The ejections stemmed from what appeared to be a "standoff" over the pregame national anthem.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Brent Suter throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 29, 2026. (Pablo Robles/Imagn Images)

Moments after "The Star-Spangled Banner" concluded, Suter remained standing near the third-base dugout. On the opposite side of the field, Wilson and Rodríguez stood near the first-base dugout alongside Rays mascots.

All of it unfolded with Drew Rasmussen ready to take the mound and Angels leadoff hitter Zach Neto standing in the batter’s box awaiting the first pitch.

BENCHES CLEAR AS RED SOX, ANGELS GET INTO HEATED PREGAME CONFRONTATION

The umpire eventually indicated that all three players involved in the pregame incident had been ejected. The game ultimately got underway as scheduled.

Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki pulls relief pitcher Brent Suter in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on May 22, 2026. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

Suter pitched in Friday’s series opener between the Angels and Rays. It was unclear before Saturday’s game whether he