Mets Rookie Reliever Jefry Yan Defies Jeering Cleveland Crowd and Ejection Drama Following Viral Mid-Air Split Strikeout Celebration

Read, Watch or Listen

1x 1.5x 2x

1x 1.5x 2x

New York Mets rookie left-handed relief pitcher Jefry Yan made his major league debut during a 6-5, 10-inning victory against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The 29-year-old reliever threw a scoreless sixth inning that featured a high-flying acrobatic mound celebration, loud crowd jeering, a bases-loaded escape, and an opposing manager's ejection.Jefry Yan entered the regular-season matchup following his official promotion from Triple-A Syracuse, where his theatrical post-strikeout antics had previously generated viral social media attention across the minor leagues. Facing Guardians pinch-hitter Angel Martínez with two strikes, Yan delivered a slider in the dirt to record his first career major-league strikeout. Immediately following the punchout, Yan executed his signature routine by leaping directly into the air on the pitching mound, throwing his arms and legs splayed outward into a scissor-kick split, landing firmly back on the grass, and moonwalking back up the slope.The Progressive Field crowd of 29,033 responded to the flamboyant display with immediate, widespread booing. Following the initial out, Yan experienced control issues and loaded the bases by surrendering two singles and a walk to the Guardians offense. Facing Chase DeLauter with one out and the bases packed, Yan secured a check-swing second strikeout. The call angered Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt, who engaged in a heated argument with the umpiring crew and was subsequently ejected from the game. Yan then forced an inning-ending fielder's choice to Francisco Lindor, stranding all three Guardians runners on base.As Yan exited the field while slapping his glove, the Cleveland audience heavily booed him off the mound. Addressing the crowd's reaction through an interpreter in his postgame press conference, Yan stated that he does not pay attention to the negative noise because fans pay for their tickets and can scream or boo if they choose. He clarified that he remains locked in his personal zone and intends to enjoy the game with total emotion.During his brief single-inning appearance, Yan threw five pitches that registered at or above 100 mph, with the fastest fastball topping out at 101.1 mph. The velocity markers registered as the eight fastest pitches thrown by any individual pitcher on the Mets' roster during the entire 2026 season. Mets interim manager Andy Green defended the rookie's flamboyant conduct, stating that Yan has developed a reputation where opposing teams largely accept his actions as good-natured enthusiasm rather than an insult to the batter. Vogt also downplayed the incident, remarking that everybody has their own individual style on the field.