The Jays have 10 days to trade or assign Hillenbrand to their minor-league system, something they almost certainly would not do. In that case, he would be given his release.
Hillenbrand packed his bags during the game and headed back to his Toronto home a few hours after a bizarre series of events that saw the designated hitter criticize the team’s management. A clubhouse incident before batting practice, that Hillenbrand said was “meant to be humourous and fun for teammates” and involved other players besides him, led to Gibbons ripping him in a closed-door clubhouse meeting afterwards.
When the game began, Hillenbrand remained in the clubhouse and refused to head into the dugout. Gibbons later entered the clubhouse during the game and informed him that he was being designated.