Pirates' Chris Archer, Reds' Yasiel Puig suspended for roles in brawl

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Archer could miss his next scheduled start after he was suspended five games and fined an undisclosed amount of money by Major League Baseball for throwing behind Derek Dietrich of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Pirates pitcher Chris Archer and Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig, as well as manager David Bell, have been suspended for their roles in bench-clearing incident between @Reds and @Pirates on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Nejj1d9to7

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) April 9, 2019

The announcement was made Tuesday by Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball Joe Torre.

Archer was not ejected from Sunday’s game, but he did receive a warning from umpire Jeff Kellogg.

The suspension, which Archer will appeal, would cause a disruption in the Pirates’ starting rotation. Archer was in line to make his next start Saturday when the Pirates visit the Washington Nationals. Archer’s suspension is on hold until the appeal is heard.

The incident was triggered in the second inning when Dietrich hit a 436-foot home run off Archer into the Allegheny River and paused to watch the flight of the baseball before beginning his trot around the bases.

After the game Sunday, Archer said he was not trying to throw at Dietrich. “I yanked that. I missed my spot,” he said.

Archer has made two starts for the Pirates, posting a 1-0 record and 2.45 ERA in 11 innings, with a team-leading 15 strikeouts. He was the winning pitcher in Sunday’s game.

Also suspended and fined were Reds right fielder Yasiel Puig (two games) and manager David Bell (one). Puig will begin serving his suspension Tuesday night when the Reds meet the Miami Marlins at Great American Ballpark. Bell also will miss the game Tuesday.

Pirates relief pitchers Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez were ejected during the ensuing melee, along with Bell, Puig and Reds relief pitcher Amir Garrett.

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