Ramirez, Ausmus suspended for Marisnick HBP
ANAHEIM -- Angels reliever Noé Ramirez and manager Brad Ausmus were both suspended on Wednesday, one day after Ramirez hit Jake Marisnick with a pitch that the Astros believe was retaliation for Marisnick’s violent collision into catcher Jonathan Lucroy on July 7.
Ramirez was suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount, but is appealing, which makes him eligible to play until his case is heard. Managers are not allowed to appeal suspensions, so Ausmus served his on Wednesday with Josh Paul serving as acting manager.
"Not overly happy about it,” Ausmus said. “I thought it was unnecessary, but [I] respect it and I’ll serve mine today. And Noe will appeal and we’ll see what that process brings. I thought it was a little bit steep. But again, you still have the appeal process to go through, so hopefully that changes things.”
Astros manager AJ Hinch, who expressed his displeasure after Tuesday’s game about Ramirez not being ejected for hitting Marisnick with a 90-mph fastball up near his shoulder, wasn’t surprised to hear about the suspensions.
“I expected them to step in and do something, but my reaction is really that it should be over and settled and done with, and they have their guys to deal with and we have our guys to deal with, and we can all move on,” Hinch said. “I think we can all be better served by letting MLB be MLB, let us play the game on the field tonight and get away from this issue.”
Because he’s in the process of appealing his suspension, Ramirez kept his comments brief before the game, but didn’t agree with the suspension. He maintained after Tuesday’s game that the plunking was unintentional, coming on a 1-1 fastball to lead off the sixth inning.
"I didn’t necessarily like it," Ramirez said. "It is what it is. I’m glad we can appeal it. It’s just about moving on. I’ll appeal it and see how it goes from there. I think that’s all I got to say. I’m just going to move on."
Tuesday was the first time that Marisnick faced the Angels since his collision with Lucroy. Both benches and bullpens cleared after first baseman Albert Pujols appeared to take offense to something said in Houston’s dugout while Marisnick was at first base. Marisnick tried to play peacemaker, urging his teammates back into the dugout.
Marisnick was suspended two games for the collision, but is appealing the suspension and may play until that process is complete. He said he’s hopeful both teams can move on.
“Honestly, it’s not really my call to make or to have an opinion,” Marisnick said. “I just wanna get back to playing baseball, just put this stuff behind us and get out there and get some wins. We got beat up the last couple days and we lost two here, so looking to get back out and get a win today.”
Ausmus said he didn’t expect to be suspended but explained why Major League Baseball held him accountable.
“I’m in charge of the players on the field and the players in the dugout,” Ausmus said. “I think Major League Baseball’s take is having someone who is in charge of the team and having what they consider an egregious offense on the field happen, I also get penalized.”
Ausmus also said he hopes that both teams can put this all past them. They still have 12 more games against each other, including Wednesday’s game at Angel Stadium.
“Like I said last night, I don’t know what should be over,” Ausmus said. “But I guess we have something here now. So I assume [it’s over], but you never know.”