Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly received an eight-game suspension from Major League Baseball on Wednesday for his role in a bank cleanup showdown at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Tuesday night.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts received a one-game suspension and Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined, MLB announced.
Under the 60-game format, an eight-game suspension would account for more than 13% of the schedule.
Kelly, who threw a fastball behind Alex Bregman’s head and then teased Carlos Correa on the way back to the shelter, will appeal his suspension. MLB, in reaching its conclusion, cited that Kelly had previously been suspended for “intentionally throwing” a batter. Kelly was suspended for six games in April 2018 after hitting Tyler Austin of the Yankees.
Roberts will serve his suspension during the series finale on Wednesday in Houston, prompting bench coach Bob Geren to act as interim manager.
Kelly denied the intention after the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory Tuesday and said, “My accuracy is not the best.” After his 3-0, 96 mph fastball sailed behind Bregman, Kelly also threw four high pitches to Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, then shook Correa with a pair of curved balls inside.
After hitting Correa, Kelly grimaced at Correa as he returned to the shelter. Baker said Kelly also yelled, “Nice swing, b —-“.
Speaking Wednesday, Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. had no doubts about Kelly’s intention.
“Joe Kelly tossed a ball behind Bregman’s head 3-0 on purpose,” said McCullers. “Not only was he in charge of sending a message, but he was not even part of the team during that period [2017] season. We knew that when you enter the game you like to exit the script. It is what it is. It was done in a non-professional way. What he did after hitting Correa was unprofessional. Running to the shelter was not professional. So, it is what it is. We are here to play baseball. We just want to win. That’s.”
The Astros defeated the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, a controversial championship due to the Houston stealing poster scandal.
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