MLB has made its decision regarding the punishment for the National’s actions on Wednesday night.
Earlier today, MLB announced both Sean Nolin and Davey Martinez would be suspended five games and one game respectively. This was due to Nolin intentionally hitting Freddie Freeman with a pitch on Wednesday night.
The duo were both also fined an undisclosed amount. Nolin had appealed his suspension, but it was announced he would begin serving his sentence tonight. Martinez on the other hand has decided not to appeal. The skipper will also miss tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sean Nolin has been suspended 5 games by MLB for intentionally hitting Freddie Freeman on Wednesday night. He has appealed and remains available to pitch until a hearing is heard.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 10, 2021
Davey Martinez has also been suspended 1 game by MLB and will serve that tonight.
The ruckus dates back to Tuesday night when in the top of the ninth inning, Braves closer Will Smith intentionally hit Juan Soto with a fastball. This was due to the duo’s rivalry dating back to 2020.
The next night Sean Nolin was on the mound and he stood up for his teammate. With one on and one out in the bottom of the first, he threw the first pitch behind Freddie Freeman as a warning. He followed this up by hitting Freeman on the next pitch.
Nolin was quickly ejected and after the inning ended, Juan Soto ran up and put his arm around the Braves superstar. The two were both smiling while discussing what had transpired. Then Freeman walked over to the Nats dugout to talk to Martinez. After sharing their opinions on the matter, the two bumped fists, and the rest of the game went on without a hitch.
Martinez’s suspension comes as a surprise to some, but being the manager, MLB may believe that he could have prevented this from escalating.
MASN’s Mark Zuckerman also pointed out that this is a typical response by MLB, regardless of who had started the beef between the two teams.
Like it or not, this is MLB's standard procedure for these cases. The guy who retaliates (and his manager) always get suspended, not the guy who initiated it.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 10, 2021
Don’t get your hopes up and expect a suspension for Smith.