Miguel Cabrera the veteran slugger for the Detroit Tigers was suspended Friday for seven games. The Major League Baseball Commissioner’s office said that Cabrera had incited the first incident that became a bench-clearing brawl on Thursday against the Yankees at Detroit’s Comerica Park.
Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez was suspended four games for fighting and throwing punches. Alex Wilson a pitcher for the Tigers was suspended four games as well for intentionally hitting Todd Frazier, at a time when warnings for both teams had already been handed out by umpires.
Yankees backup catcher Austin Romine was given a two-game suspension for his involved in the fighting. All four of the players said they would file appeals, so they would remain eligible and could play while their appeals were being considered.
Ausmus said he thought that because the brawl began with Cabrera it would be lengthy, but he was surprised that Sanchez was given just four games, considering the video that has been seen by so many.
All five players suspended were given fines that were not disclosed.
Others fined for actions on Thursday during the three incidents were Joe Girardi the Yankees managers, Rob Thomson the Yankees bench coach, New York outfielder Brett Gardner, pitcher Tommy Kahnle and Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias.
Another two Yankees – Garrett Cooper and Clint Frazier – were given fines for entering the playing field while being on the team’s disabled list.
Michael Fulmer a starting pitcher for the Tigers started the altercations when he hit Sanchez after the New York catcher hit a home run off him earlier.
However, Fulmer was not suspended or fined. Girardi only showed a faint glimpse of a smile when he was asked if he though Fulmer should not have been fined or suspended.
Sanchez has received heavy criticism for what many have called sucker punches when he hit both Cabrera and Nicholas Castellanos at a time both had been defenseless.
Former Boston Red Sox pitchers and a member of the Hall of Fame Pedro Martinez said Sanchez might be remembered in a bad way for this incident. Sanchez said that Martinez was entitled to his own opinion.
Girardi is hoping to stagger the players’ suspensions so that Sanchez or fellow catcher Romine are available.
