SAN DIEGO -- Major League Baseball reduced the suspension of Padres closer Robert Suarez from three games to two games, the team announced on Wednesday.
Suarez will serve that suspension during the Padres’ series finale on Wednesday against the Nationals and their series opener on Friday against the Reds.
Last Friday, Suarez was originally handed a three-game ban for throwing at Shohei Ohtani in the ninth inning of Thursday’s series finale between the Padres and Dodgers -- a series that featured eight hit batters, including Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr. in the same inning twice.
Suarez initially appealed the suspension on the grounds that he hadn’t done so intentionally. Umpires had warned both teams after Tatis was hit by a pitch in the top of the inning, and Suarez was promptly ejected after plunking Ohtani in the shoulder with a 100 mph fastball. Suarez declined comment that night, but spoke the following day, as the appeal process began.
“It wasn’t intentional,” he said through interpreter Pedro Gutiérrez. “That decision was made by the umpires. I knew there was a warning issued to both clubs. But I obviously wasn’t trying to hit him in that situation.”
In the moment, nothing further came of the incident, largely because Ohtani waved toward his dugout to back down. But the Dodgers clearly disagreed with the notion that the hit by pitch was not intentional.
“This is a right-handed pitcher going cross-court to hit Shohei up and in,” said L.A. manager Dave Roberts. “That’s a hard throw. ... Clearly there was intent behind it.”
Suarez is tied for the MLB lead with 22 saves, and he owns a 3.51 ERA in 35 appearances. The Padres' likeliest options to replace him at the back end are Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada and Adrian Morejon. But all three pitched in multiple innings on Tuesday night, and it’s unclear who would be available.
Both Roberts and Padres manager Mike Shildt were suspended one game for their roles in the incident, as well. They each served those suspensions when they were handed down on Friday.