Washington Nationals Suspend Jonathan Papelbon After Bryce — Major League Baseball News Update

Major League Baseball issued a three-game suspension to Papelbon, who appealed the decision.

But it wasn’t going to happen.

That’s what happened Sunday when Harper flew out and jogged to first. Afterward, Papelbon began shouting at Harper from the dugout for what he believed was Harper’s failure to run hard.

Harper, though, said after Sundays game that he was scheduled to be off Monday. The Nationals’ 27-year-old right-hander, who faced the minimum number of batters through seven innings, allowed only three hits and struck out 13 in another outstanding performance against the Phillies.

Tulowitzki hasn’t played since September 12 when he cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back after colliding with teammate Kevin Pillar in a game against the Yankees.

Toronto was in need of a proven closer and Papelbon was openly available so his name kept coming up.

“I don’t know”, Harper chuckled. “The punishment fits”.

Harper tried to explain what he did to earn the punitive off day.

“When he eventually did see the video of Papelbon clutching at Harpers neck”, Williams said, ““I was upset”.

““I could have asked for more specifics”, ” Williams said Monday. “In Jonathan Papelbon’s opinion he did”. Did Williams see the fight or not?

Williams was on the home-plate side of the dugout when the fight broke out.

“Looking at it briefly out of the corner of my eye initially, it was very quick”, Williams said. Players and coaches quickly raced over to break up the fight. “He made a mistake”.

If you’ve come anywhere near the Internet over the last 24 hours or so, then you’re surely aware of what’s become of the Nationals.

Molina was examined by doctors Monday and told he was not ready to play, though they were encouraged that his strength and flexibility have improved. He said he was focused on the batter at the plate: “I take the responsibility”. Sometimes, emotions spill over and that’s what happened today. “There were plenty of mistakes made in that situation”. Even Harper in spring training asked, “Where’s my ring?”

As a team, they have been struggling to hit, with the exception being Harper. Papelbon promptly lost the game against his former team after publicly questioning their will to win a few weeks ago.

The questions turn to next season for the Nats. After another failed season, the National’s will probably start the offseason by cutting ties with Matt Williams and Jonathan Papelbon. Is there any outcome from yesterday that does not include Williams being fired? Will the displaced closer, Storen, out with a broken thumb, get traded? Harper, too, said he would like to speak with Papelbon face-to-face eventually.

“That’s certainly a better scenario than how that unfolded”, Headley said. “We ended our meeting amicably and I think this is an isolated incident”.

“I think for the most part he has fit into the clubhouse culture fine”. Papelbon goes after him.

“We parted amicably”, Rizzo said.

Harper: “He apologized, so whatever”.

Many Nationals fans have called for manager Matt Williams’ head. It’s definitely we, as the Nationals, don’t pride ourselves on that. “We can’t be fighting each other”.