Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jorge López has been suspended for three games by Major League Baseball following a heated bench-clearing incident against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Manager Dave Martínez also received a suspension for his role in the altercation.
The suspension came after López threw a fastball over the head of Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, narrowly missing him. Although McCutchen managed to avoid the pitch, the confrontation escalated as the two players exchanged words, prompting both benches to clear.
“I apologize for everything,” López told to MLB.com following his ejection. “I didn’t make any pitch [on purpose] right there, I tried to do my adjustment. I’ve been trying to find my way with my delivery, I tried to find my way through the whole season. And it’s really miserable that happened. I regret what just happened.”
MLB also issued López an undisclosed fine. While Jorge López has appealed the suspension, he did not pitch on Thursday night.
«I don’t necessarily think it was warranted, but the umpires saw it differently, so they ejected Jorge», told Martinez to MLB.com. «Unfortunately, it was a good game up to that point, and things got out of hand.»
Miguel Cairo, the Nationals’ bench coach, took over managerial duties following Martínez’s ejection on Wednesday and also managed Thursday’s game.
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Jorge López signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals. He hasn’t had a good start to the season. He has already allowed 9 runs in 7.2 innings, with 4 walks, one home run, and five strikeouts. His ERA is 10.57.
