Major League Baseball doesn’t mess around with pitches near the head
Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes was suspended four games and fined an undisclosed amount for what MLB deemed as “intentionally throwing at the head of Manny Machado” during the Sox’ 6-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
Barnes has appealed the suspension and should be available out of the bullpen when the Red Sox begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
The pitch in question was thrown at 90 mph and located behind the head of Machado, just missing his helmet but hitting his bat and earning Barnes an immediate ejection.