WASHINGTON -- Bryce Harper has dropped his appeal, and he served his one-game suspension in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins. The Nationals lost, 7-1.
Major League Baseball issued the suspension to Harper on Wednesday for his actions following his ejection in the ninth inning Monday night, which included returning to the field. He was allowed to play during the appeal process.
More information
Harper was yelling from the dugout on Monday night, when he was ejected by home-plate umpire Brian Knight after Knight called Danny Espinosa out on strikes. The next batter, Clint Robinson, hit a walk-off home run, and Harper returned from the clubhouse to greet Robinson at home plate with the rest of his teammates. But before Harper joined the celebration, he turned and shouted an expletive at Knight, which was caught by television cameras.
"I think the only person that I'm pretty upset that saw it was my mom. I told her, 'Sorry.' I texted her after the game," Harper said Wednesday. "So I think those are certain things that just happen. You live and you learn. Nothing I can do."
The timing works for the Nationals, who are not allowed to replace Harper on the roster during the suspension. However, with the doubleheader Saturday they were allowed to promote a 26th player on their roster, outfielder Matt den Dekker, who started in left field and batted sixth.
Chris Heisey started in right field in place of Harper, who went 0-for-2 with three walks in the Nats' 6-4 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. Heisey went 1-for-3 with a walk.