Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly suspended eight games by MLB for throwing at Astros
Major League Baseball has laid down punishments after tempers flared between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros on Tuesday night, the first bit of justice from MLB players we’ve seen carried out against the Astros after their cheating scandal rocked baseball this past offseason.
Joe Kelly, who threw pitches near the heads of Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa and then taunted Correa, was suspended eight games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was suspended one game. Astros manager Dusty Baker was also fined. Kelly will appeal his suspension, so he can play until his appeal is heard.
Here’s the entire statement from MLB:
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly has received an eight-game suspension for his actions in the bottom of the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Kelly, who has previously been suspended in his career for intentional throwing, threw a pitch in the area of the head of Alex Bregman and later taunted Carlos Correa, which led to the benches clearing.
Chris Young, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, made the announcement. In addition, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has received a one-game suspension as a result of Kelly’s actions.
Kelly’s suspension had been scheduled to begin tonight, when the Dodgers will continue their series in Houston. However, Kelly has elected to appeal. Thus, the discipline will be held in abeyance until the process is complete. Roberts will serve his suspension tonight.
Astros manager Dusty Baker also received a fine as a part of the incident between the two Clubs.
Kelly nearly hit Bregman in the sixth inning with a 3-0 pitch near his head. He then almost hit Correa with a curveball, but eventually struck Correa out and taunted him afterward. While walking off the field, Kelly and Correa jawed at each other more, which caused the benches to clear.
Major League Baseball made it clear to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts that it wasn’t happy about what transpired, particularly during a pandemic when the league is pushing social distancing. He also attributed to the anger on the field as built-up tension from a Dodgers team that lost to the cheating Astros in the World Series.
Dave Roberts will address the team today about leaving the bench. MLB is looking into potential punishment and Roberts said league officials "weren't pleased" that players congregated like they did in Houston last night.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 29, 2020
Roberts believes last night "released" some tension. "This is something that has been built up over the course of seven months."
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 29, 2020
The Dodgers play the Astros again Wednesday night, then the two teams are scheduled to meet twice more this season, Sept. 12-13 in L.A.
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