WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Nationals have suspended closer Jonathan Papelbon for four games without pay for his dugout fight with star slugger Bryce Harper, which will end the pitcher's season.
General manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement Monday that Papelbon's actions Sunday in the game against Philadelphia are "not acceptable." Rizzo added they are "not at all in line with the way our players are expected to conduct themselves, and the Nationals organization will not tolerate it in any way."
Papelbon also accepted a three-game suspension from Major League Baseball for throwing at Baltimore's Manny Machado. The league suspension began Monday against Cincinnati. The suspension from the Nationals will begin Thursday and last the rest of the season.