Suspensions upheld for Bucs' Snider and Martin

PITTSBURGH -- The suspensions of Travis Snider and Russell Martin have been upheld by Major League Baseball.

Both players' appeals of the suspensions arising from the April 20 altercation with the Brewers were heard on Tuesday.

Snider will serve his two-game suspension on Friday and Saturday, sitting out the first two games of a key National League Central series with the Cardinals at PNC Park.

Martin, suspended for one game, is currently on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring and will serve his suspension when he's activated. He is eligible to come off the DL on Sunday, but he's not close to returning.

"The hardest part is that, for two games, you've got to sit and watch your teammates play," said Snider, whose understanding is that his suspension arose from his action after having been punched from behind by Milwaukee backup catcher Martin Maldonado, whose five-game suspension was the longest to come out of the fracas.

"In that situation, I have to be a man and accept responsibility for what I did," Snider added. "I have to take responsibility for my actions. I look forward to getting these two games out of the way and moving forward."

Snider had arguably his strongest game of the season on Wednesday, going 2-for-3, driving in two runs and scoring another in the Bucs' 4-3 victory over the Giants. He figured to get plenty of action this weekend with St. Louis starting three right-handed pitchers.

"I haven't been starting every day, but you still want to be out there every single day with your teammates," Snider said. "Starting or coming off the bench, you want to be part of it."

Snider will become active on Sunday for the finale of this series. Following an off-day Monday, the Pirates will open a road trip against the Brewers at Miller Park.

"Whatever happens in Milwaukee, we'll deal with it when we get there," Snider said.