In tonight’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be without both pitcher Chris Devenski and manager Don Kelly.
The MLB announced on Tuesday that Devenski will be suspended for two games and Kelly for one game after intentionally throwing at Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart on Saturday.
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Devenski’s initial suspension was for three games, but he reached a settlement with the MLB to reduce it to two.
During the seventh inning of the Pirates’ 17-7 win over Cincinnati on Saturday, following an apparent issue with Stewart not being in the batter’s box on time, Devenski fired a pitch way inside.
Stewart narrowly evaded the pitch and was upset at Devenski for it. After the umpires met, they decided the pitch was intentional and ejected Devenski from the game.
He later told MLB.com that he was simply trying to throw an inside strike.
“Going hard [inside] to start an at-bat,” Devenski said that. “I know the guy likes to dive over [the plate]. Just trying to execute my pitch there, and I think he took it the wrong way. It is what it is. Hey, I’m not going to back down from anything, either.”
Both Kelly and Devenski will begin serving their suspensions on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
