Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after he questioned a called third strike, and we now know what he said that led to him being thrown out.

Hoerner was called out on strikes in the top of the fifth inning after he took a 2-2 pitch from Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty that appeared to miss low and inside. Hoerner turned to state his case to home plate umpire Derek Thomas, who calmly but immediately ejected Hoerner.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell then came out of the dugout to argue with Thomas and was also tossed from the game.

Craig Counsell and Nico Hoerner have been ejected from today’s game. pic.twitter.com/uF71E9ajWH

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 8, 2025

MLB rules prevent players and coaches from arguing over balls and strikes, but typically the home plate umpire will give some leeway. Thomas obviously heard something from Hoerner that he did not like, and we now know what it was.

After the Cubs lost 4-0, Hoerner revealed that he told Thomas the umpire was “having a really bad day.”

#Cubs Nico Hoerner said he told home plate umpire Derek Thomas, “You’re having a really bad day.”

That’s what led to an immediate ejection.

— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) June 8, 2025

Thomas felt that comment crossed the line, though Counsell disagreed. The Cubs manager called the ejection “completely unwarranted.”

“There was nothing that was said that warrants an ejection,” Counsell said. “You can’t eject players and affect outcomes of games for no offense. He didn’t like what Nico said, but Nico’s walking by and what he said was not ejectable. You don’t just eject players and change lineups and things like that.”

“The ejection of Nico was completely unwarranted … What he said is not ejectable.”

Craig Counsell on Nico Hoerner’s ejection in the 5th inning. pic.twitter.com/8B8IZgLAhb

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 8, 2025

Hoerner has been solid at the plate for Chicago this season. He’s batting .286, so losing him in the middle of a game in which the Cubs had nothing going offensively was not ideal.

Compared to some of the more animated ejections we have seen this season, what Hoerner did hardly seemed egregious. Thomas simply didn’t appreciate what was said.