MLB Hands Down Suspensions After Nationals-Red Sox Dust-Up
Major League Baseball has issued suspensions to four players following a benches-clearing altercation between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox on Tuesday evening. Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli and Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras each received seven-game suspensions, with Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas suspended for five games and Boston outfielder Nate Eaton for three. All four players were also assessed undisclosed fines.
The incident unfolded in the bottom of the fourth inning during the Nationals’ 8-1 victory at Fenway Park. After striking out Contreras, Cavalli reportedly yelled, “Sit down, boy!” prompting Contreras to confront the mound. A minor scuffle ensued, during which Contreras appeared to attempt to throw his helmet toward Cavalli.
Contreras, who was ejected for the second consecutive game, had been visibly emotional in recent days, publicly addressing the impact of earthquakes in his home country of Venezuela. Eaton and Boston’s interim manager, Chad Tracy, were also ejected from the game. Mikolas, despite being a starting pitcher on an off day, was the sole National ejected.
The suspensions, announced by Michael Hill, Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, will commence unless any player chooses to appeal, in which case the discipline will be deferred until the appeal process concludes.
Sources