San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez was handed a three-game suspension and fined an undisclosed amount on Friday for intentionally hitting Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a pitch during a heated NL West clash Thursday night.
Suarez is appealing the suspension, allowing him to remain eligible to pitch Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.
Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts were each suspended for one game and fined for their involvement in the incident, which escalated during both halves of the ninth inning in San Diego’s 5-3 win at Dodger Stadium.
“I support the decision,” Roberts said of the league’s ruling. “I never want the spotlight to be on the managers—it should always be about the players and the competition. Last night, both teams were just protecting their own, and it unfortunately reached a point where we, as managers, became the focus. That’s not how the game should be.”
