Major League Baseball announced on Saturday that it has suspended Houston Astros outfielder Brian Abreu for two games for “intentionally throwing” at Texas Rangers outfielder Adelis Garcia during Friday’s Game 5 win over the Texans. Here’s what you need to know:
- The suspension is effective immediately, but Abreu can appeal it.
- Abreu Garcia hit a bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Rangers leading 4-2, igniting a brawl to clear the benches.
- After discussion among the referees, Abreu, Garcia and Houston manager Dusty Baker were ejected.
- The Astros lead the Rangers 3-2 in the American League Championship Series and face each other next Sunday in Game 6.
- Astros outfielder Lance McCullers Jr. and Rangers outfielder Matt Bush were both assessed undisclosed fines and banned from their team’s bench for the remainder of the American League Championship Series for their roles in the brawl. Neither pitcher was active in the series, but they were fined “due to their role in the incident,” according to the league.
what do you know
Every Astro asked about the incident after Friday’s game — including Abreu himself — and claimed the pitch toward Garcia was unintentional. The six referees officiating the match disagreed. MLB cited the umpires’ determination in the press release announcing Abreu’s suspension along with “the dangerous nature of the field and its potential impact on player safety.”
Abreu hit Garcia in the shoulder with a 98.3 mph fastball on the first pitch. Both Abreu and Baker said the team intended to push Garcia up and in, but catcher Martin Maldonado claimed the pitch that hit Garcia was supposed to be thrown away. Maldonado prepared away as well. It should be noted that Abreu faced 287 batters during the regular season and struck out only three of them. – Chandler Rome, Astros staff writer
Was this surprising?
Although he arrives at a bad time for the Astros, MLB’s decision is not surprising. The vision of the situation was too drastic for the league to ignore, and as Justin Verlander said after Friday’s game, “I understand Major League Baseball and trying to take the hit off the field, and pitchers and teams are watching the game the way it’s done.” It used to be done. I understand that. it’s dangerous.”
A first-pitch fastball at nearly 99 mph above the waist is something the league can’t ignore, especially after six of its umpires determined the pitch was intentional. – Rome
Will Abreu appeal?
It is not clear whether Abreu will appeal his suspension, although it is very likely he will. If he does, the suspension will be suspended while the appeal is heard, meaning Abreu will be available to play in the postseason. MLB’s collective bargaining agreement mandates that all postseason appeals be heard within 48 hours, meaning Abreu could serve his suspension — if upheld — while the Astros are still alive in the postseason.
Losing Abreu would be a devastating blow to the Houston market. He finished the regular season with a 1.75 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched. Abreu has struck out 11 of the 25 batters he has faced in the postseason as well. — Rome
what are they saying
Rangers catcher Jonah Heim said Abreu’s pitch “looks bad.”
“That’s all I can really say,” Heim said. “We don’t know if it was intentional or not. But it wasn’t the best look.”
Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe added: “Wearing that jersey, and having Adelis my teammate, it feels very intentional. Obviously there’s history between these two teams… In today’s game, we threw fastballs. If you want to get emotional “For something like that and you’re criticizing the guy who hit a three-run homer, that’s pretty bad. I don’t really support that.”
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(Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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