Pham, Pederson scuffle in pregame altercation
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham and San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson were involved in a brief altercation before Friday's series opener at Great American Ball Park.
While the Giants were warming up in the outfield, Pham confronted Pederson in the outfield during pregame warmups. The pair quickly were separated and no punches were thrown.
The incident was witnessed by reporters and occurred before fans entered the ballpark.
“We're investigating it and learning as much as we can about the incident,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “We're taking it very seriously. Until we have a clear understanding of what happened, not willing to discuss it.”
Pham was in the starting lineup on Friday, listed as the designated hitter and batting third. But he was scratched moments before first pitch and replaced by Alejo López at DH. Pederson started in left field and batted fourth.
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler refused Friday to take the field for the national anthem in a protest over the nation's political direction following this week's school shooting in Texas . ... Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff left a start Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals with right ankle discomfort . ... New York Mets reliever Yoan López had his three-game suspension cut to one game and served the penalty Friday night when New York played the Philadelphia Phillies. López had appealed after MLB ruled that he intentionally threw at Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber on May 1, an inning after Mets star Francisco Lindor was hit by a pitch. ... Josh Donaldson was placed on the 10-day injured list by the New York Yankees on Friday due to right shoulder inflammation. New York made the move retroactive to May 24.