Major League Baseball was swift in its decision to discipline Boston Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes for his dangerous pitch near Orioles third baseman Manny Machado's head Sunday, passing down a four-game suspension Monday night.
In an announcement by the MLB's chief baseball officer, Joe Torre, the league announced that Barnes also received an "undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing a pitch in the area of" Machado's head.
Barnes and Red Sox manager John Farrell both said Sunday after the game that the pitch was not intentional, and that the plan was to throw a fastball inside to Machado, though catcher Christian Vazquez was set up low and away on the pitch. The ball missed Machado's body but ricocheted into his back after hitting his bat.
Machado and Orioles manager Buck Showalter said they weren't going to ascribe motive to the pitch. Showalter said Monday that he was anticipating there would be discipline, but didn't know when.
"I'm curious to see what they end up with," Showalter said. "I have a lot of confidence people will look at it and do the right thing."
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who also missed inside several times to Machado on Sunday, was not disciplined, though the footage was reportedly reviewed for potential discipline for him, too.
Barnes is appealing the suspension and can play until that hearing is held.
