San Diego Padres pitcher Robert Suarez received a three-game suspension by Major League Baseball for intentionally hitting Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, during the Padres’ 5-3 victory on June 19.
Suarez’s pitch hit Ohtani in the bottom of the ninth inning during Thursday’s game at Dodger Stadium. Suarez, who was ejected from the game, also received an undisclosed fine as part of his punishment.
The pitcher would have served the first game of his suspension on Friday when the Padres host the Kansas City Royals at Petco Park, but Suarez has elected to appeal. As a result, his suspension has been delayed until the appeal process is complete.
Ohtani being hit appeared to be retaliation after Padres star Fernando Tatis was hit by a pitch in the top of the ninth inning by Dodgers rookie pitcher Jack Little. That incident resulted in the benches clearing.
The benches did not clear for a second time after Ohtani was seen waving off his team from coming out of the dugout after he was hit.
Suarez spoke with reporters before the Padres’ game against the Royals Friday night and denied that he intentionally hit Ohtani.
“They can say whatever they want,’ Suarez said through a translator. ‘That was not the case.”
Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also received one-game suspensions and a fine of an undisclosed amount for unsportsmanlike conduct and their roles in ‘inciting the benches-clearing incident.’
Both managers will serve their suspensions on Friday, June 20 and did not have the option to appeal. The Dodgers host the Washington Nationals in a weekend set.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.