Papelbon suspended three games, will appeal
Reliever disciplined for throwing pitch at Baltimore's Machado
WASHINGTON -- Nationals reliever Jonathan Papelbon received a three-game suspension from Major League Baseball on Friday for intentionally throwing a pitch near the head of Orioles third baseman Manny Machado in Wednesday's game at Nationals Park.
Shortly after news of the suspension was released, the Nationals announced that Papelbon planned to appeal his suspension. Papelbon can play until a decision on his suspension is handed down, per MLB rules.
"We know he's appealed," manager Matt Williams said before Friday's 8-2 loss to the Phillies. "He's available tonight, and we hope to give him the ball in the ninth inning."
Papelbon, 34, has a 4-2 record with a 1.91 ERA and 24 saves this season split between the Phillies and Nationals. Papelbon has a 2.49 ERA in 20 games with Washington since being acquired in a midseason trade, and he has finished all but three of the games in which he appeared.
Papelbon declined to comment on the ongoing appeal.