Milwaukee Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado reportedly has become the first player to be disciplined in the wake of Sunday’s benches-clearing brawl in Pittsburgh.
Maldonado, who punched Pirates outfielder Travis Snider square in the face during the fracas, has been suspended five games and fined $2,500 by Major League Baseball, a source told ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Here’s a clear view of the punch:
The incident began after Milwaukee’s Carlos Gomez tripled off Pirates starter Gerrit Cole in the third inning of a 3-2 Brewers win. Maldonado, who has gone 4-for-12 in four games played this season, told reporters after the game that he punched Snider to get him and Pirates catcher Russell Martin away from Gomez.
“I saw Snider and Martin over Gomez. I could tell it wasn’t fair, so I had to protect my teammate,” Maldonado said, via the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “I don’t worry about (a suspension). That’s part of baseball. Whatever happens.”
Snider, Gomez and Brewers bench coach Jerry Narron were the only individuals ejected as a result of the brawl.
UPDATE: MLB has confirmed Maldonado’s suspension and announced three others. Gomez has been suspended three games, and Snider and Martin have received two- and one-game bans, respectively. All four also have been fined undisclosed amounts.
