CHICAGO (AP) Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost says he did not expect Yordano Ventura to be suspended nine games by Major League Baseball for his brawl with Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado this week.
Machado was suspended four games and both players were fined an undisclosed amount on Thursday.
Yost says he did “not really” anticipate the punishment and adds the Royals will “just move forward.” He spoke before Friday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.
On Tuesday night in Baltimore, Machado charged the mound after being hit by a 99 mph fastball and punched Ventura in the head as the benches emptied.
Ventura and Machado both have appealed their suspensions. They can continue to play until the process is complete.
Ventura is scheduled to start Sunday against the White Sox.
