Cole Hamels Suspended Five Games for Intentionally Hitting Bryce Harper

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Mon, May 7, 2012 at 6:12PM

The verdict has come down from Major League Baseball, and Cole Hamels is guilty of… something.

The Phillies starter has been suspended for five games after admitting that he plunked Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in the back during Sunday night’s game. It’s unclear whether Hamels would have been suspended, however, if he hadn’t admitted that it was intentional after the game.

“I was trying to hit him,” Hamels explained. “It’s just welcome to the big leagues.”

Commissioner Bud Selig, it appears, disagrees that players should be welcomed to the majors that way.

Hamels will begin serving his suspension on Monday night if he does not appeal, which would not result in him missing a start. The Phillies have an off day on Thursday, which would allow Roy Halladay to pitch on normal rest Saturday. Then Hamels could move his scheduled start for that day back to Sunday instead, when he would be eligible to return.