In a dramatic turn of events during Saturday's high-scoring clash, the Pittsburgh Pirates' 17-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds has come with a hefty price tag. Major League Baseball has handed down suspensions to both Pirates reliever Chris Devenski and manager Don Kelly following an incident that has sparked plenty of conversation around the league.
The controversy centers on Devenski, who was initially hit with a three-game suspension after MLB officials determined he intentionally threw at Reds rookie Sal Stewart. In a settlement that suggests both sides were eager to move on, that penalty has since been reduced to two games. The right-hander also received an undisclosed fine, while manager Don Kelly was suspended for one game.
As reported by Colin Beazley of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Major League Baseball has suspended Pirates RHP Chris Devenski for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at Reds rookie Sal Stewart. Additionally, manager Don Kelly received a one-game suspension. He'll miss tonight's game." Beazley later updated, noting the reduction to two games as part of the settlement, with both Devenski and Kelly sitting out Tuesday's contest. Devenski is eligible to return for Thursday's series finale.
For the Pirates, this comes as a notable setback. Devenski, a former All-Star who signed with Pittsburgh in January and was called up on April 29, had been settling into his role in the bullpen. Across three relief appearances this season, he's tossed 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts—solid numbers that the team will miss during his absence.
While the incident has certainly stirred up emotions, it's a reminder of the fine line pitchers walk in today's game. For fans and players alike, the hope is that the Pirates can channel this energy into their upcoming matchups and keep the momentum rolling after that impressive win.
