Pirates' Aroldis Chapman Suspended 2 Games by MLB After Ejection vs. Mets
April 18, 2024Major League Baseball suspended Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman for two games on Thursday following his ejection during Monday's loss to the New York Mets, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Chapman has the right to appeal.
Plate umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Chapman during the contest when the pitcher covered his mouth with his glove and said something:
"He evidently said something that the umpire did not like," Pirates manager Derek Shelton told reporters.
Chapman entered the game when it was tied at three to start the bottom of the eighth but gave up the lead on a two-run double by Harrison Bader. The southpaw was credited with the loss and three earned runs in 0.1 innings.
He did not appear in Pittsburgh's next two games against the Mets, which were also losses.
If Chapman does not appeal the suspension, it will begin with the Pirates' game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. If he does, he will be eligible to pitch until there is a final ruling on his punishment.
Pittsburgh signed Chapman to a one-year deal this offseason.
The seven-time All-Star has been in the league since the 2010 campaign with previous stops on the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers before joining the Pirates.
He has a 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 5.2 innings this season and has not looked like the dominant pitcher he was at his peak for other teams to this point.