CLEVELAND — Through the first 51 home games of the Cleveland Guardians' 2022 season, Mustard is winless in the team's famed hot dog races.
And now the yellow condiment-covered hot dog is paying the price.
Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, the Guardians announced that they have "optioned" -- or demoted -- Mustard to their High-A affiliate, the Lake County Captains. In a release issued on official team letterhead, the franchise noted that Mustard's winless streak and on-field behavior played roles in the team's decision.
"Mustard, 17, has struggled at a historic pace this season, failing to secure a victory in any of the first 50 Sugardale Hot Dog races at Progressive Field in 2022 (one race was rained out)," the release reads. "The tantrum-throwing condiment is being sent down to the Guardians' High-A team -- the Lake County Captains -- to try and get his mental and physical game back to an MLB-caliber level. He is expected to report to the Captains on Monday and race in Tuesday's contest."
The team also noted that Mustard's counterparts, Ketchup and Onion, have each won 25 races this season. The Captains are scheduled to host the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at Classic Park at 6:35 on Tuesday.
Mustard's demotion comes just days after 3News' Austin Love investigated the mysterious circumstances surrounding the condiment's winless season. Was Mustard's demotion fair, or just part of a larger conspiracy that continues to plague the condiment's 2022 season?
Judge for yourself by watching Austin's report in the YouTube player below.