MLB Suspends, Fines Total of Seven Players for Royals-White Sox Brawl
The fight began in the seventh inning of the game at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday, when White Sox batter Adam Eaton hit a ball right back at Kansas City pitcherYordano Ventura. The two exchanged words and both benches cleared in a brawlmoments later.
Major League Baseball handed out the biggest suspension to Ventura — a seven-game vacation — and five-game suspensions to White Sox starting pitchersChris Sale and Jeff Samardzija, and Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, who became involved in the fight.
Two-game suspensions were given to two other Kansas City players: OutfielderLorenzo Cain and pitcher Kelvin Herrera, MLB said. All six players were also hit with fines — including Chicago catcher Tyler Flowers, who escaped suspension by the league.
All players except Flowers and Herrera were ejected from the game. For Ventura, it was his second ejection from a game this month, after he was tossed last weekend for throwing at a batter during a game against the Oakland Athletics.
Joe Garagiola Jr., MLB’s Senior Vice President of Standards & On-Field Operations, made the announcement Saturday. MLB noted the suspensions will begin Sunday, unless any of the players appeal their punishment.
