During Sunday’s game between the Nationals and Phillies, Bryce Harper and Jonathan Papelbon got into a physical altercation in the dugout. Papelbon was apparently not happy with Harper’s lack of hustle after flying out and let Harper know about it. Papelbon went after Harper, looking like he was going to strangle him.
While the incident was labeled a fight, one man who knows a thing or two about such things downplayed what he saw transpire. UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier said the technique Papelbon used was “terrible” when speaking with TMZ.
Poor form aside, the Nationals suspended Papelbon for four games without pay for going after Harper. That’s in addition to the three-game suspension that was handed down by Major League Baseball.
The two suspensions bring Jonathan Papelbon’s 2015 season to an end with the Nationals eliminated from playoff contention. However, with the veteran pitcher having an $11 million player option for next year, it’s entirely possible he and Harper could be teammates once again next year. For the Nationals’ sake, hopefully there aren’t any lingering effects.
H/T Eye On Baseball
