Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu has received a two-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at Adolis García of the Texas Rangers during the bottom of the eighth inning of Friday’s Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington.  All six of the Major League Umpires deemed Abreu’s pitch to have been intentional.  In assessing the matter, Major League Baseball took into account the dangerous nature of the pitch and its potential impact on player safety.  Michael Hill, MLB’s Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, made the announcement.

Unless appealed, the suspension of Abreu is scheduled to become effective in Sunday’s Game Six of the ALCS.  If Abreu elects to appeal, then the discipline will be held in abeyance until that process is complete.

Players who received undisclosed fines for their roles in the benches-clearing incident included García and pitcher Matt Bush of the Rangers and pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. of the Astros.  Bush and McCullers will be prohibited from sitting on their respective benches for the remainder of the ALCS.  In addition, Astros manager Dusty Baker has received an undisclosed fine as a result of his actions following his ejection from the game.