Houston Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron received a 20-game suspension and a fine Tuesday for his role in a benches-clearing brawl at Oakland, while Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano was given a six-game suspension and a fine.
Cintron's suspension is the longest for an on-field transgression in 15 years, since Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers received 20 games for his altercation with two cameramen in 2005.
"I accept MLB's suspension and will learn from this," Cintron said in a statement. "Although I never referenced Ramon's mother, my actions were inappropriate. I apologize for my part in Sunday's unfortunate incident.
Laureano appealed his suspension. He was hit by a pitch from Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh inning of Oakland's 7-2 victory Sunday. He began exchanging words with a gesturing Cintron then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward the 41-year-old Cintron.
In announcing the punishments, MLB said Cintron's discipline was "for his role in inciting and escalating the conflict between the two clubs."
Pitchers put on restricted list
The Cleveland Indians went a step further than putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac into quarantine. They have been sent away from the team, and it's not known when they will be back.
Cleveland placed the two starting pitchers on the restricted list after the righthanders broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their Chicago hotel last weekend and risking exposure to COVID-19.
"This one kind of hurts," manager Terry Francona said, adding, "… We'll deal with it like we always do."
