Nats suspend Papelbon for 4 games for fight
Washington closer Jonathan Papelbon will miss the rest of the season after Sunday’s dugout fight with teammate Bryce Harper: four games because of a team suspension for that episode and three games because he dropped his appeal of a Major League Baseball ban for throwing at an opponent’s head last week.
Washington manager Matt Williams said Harper, a leading NL MVP contender, was held out of the starting lineup for Monday’s home finale against Cincinnati for “his part in the altercation” with Papelbon on Sunday.
Harper, though, said after Sunday’s game that he was scheduled to be off Monday.
“It’s been a very difficult 24 hours for the organization,” Williams said at his pregame news conference, which started 1½ hours later than scheduled. “Incidents like that in the dugout (are) not the way we want to play our games.”
On Sunday, after Harper flied out in the eighth inning against Philadelphia, he headed to the dugout, where he and Papelbon exchanged words. The argument escalated, and Papelbon reached out with his left hand and grabbed Harper by the throat. Papelbon then shoved the outfielder toward the bench before teammates and members of Williams’ coaching staff pulled apart the two.
Williams was at the other end of the dugout and, he said Monday, was not aware of exactly what happened until later in the day, when he saw video that made the rounds on Twitter immediately after the scrap. Williams said he hadn’t seen that video before his postgame news conference Sunday and hadn’t sought information from his coaches or other players during the game. He added that because he was unaware of the extent of the confrontation, he sent Papelbon back to pitch the ninth inning.
Piscotty hurt: St. Louis rookie Stephen Piscotty suffered a bruise on his head and was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for observation after a collision with teammate Peter Bourjos during the Cardinals’ 3-0 win at PNC Park.
The Pirates’ Josh Harrison hit a drive to the gap in left-center. Piscotty, playing left field, stumbled as he chased the ball. Bourjos, playing center, went to the ground as he made a lunging catch, and his left knee struck Piscotty square in the face.
Piscotty, an alum of Amador Valley High-Pleasanton and Stanford, was motionless on the grass for several minutes. He was strapped to a backboard and waved his left hand as he was driven away.
Molina update: St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina will miss the rest of the season and his status for the playoffs in unclear because of a torn ligament in his left hand.
“We were hoping for better news, but in the scheme of things, we’re just going to have to remain patient,” general manager John Mozeliak said after Molina met with team doctors. “Depending on where we end up in October could dictate if there is still a possibility.”
Briefly: Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, sidelined since Sept. 12, tested his injured shoulder by taking batting practice and said he expects to return in time for the postseason. Tulowitzki cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back when he collided with teammate Kevin Pillar in a game against the Yankees. ... The Angels signed right-hander Mat Latos, who was released by the Dodgers last week. ... The Mariners hired former Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto to replace GM Jack Zduriencik, who was fired in late August.