Chris Devenski Threw at a Batter and MLB Just Handed Down Suspensions to Him and His Manager

The Pittsburgh Pirates got hit with some serious discipline on Tuesday. Right-hander Chris Devenski took a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds during Saturday's game at PNC Park. Pirates manager Don Kelly also got suspended for one game and fined, and he'll serve that ban during Pittsburgh's Tuesday matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

What Actually Happened

Devenski unleashed the pitch at Stewart during the seventh inning of the Pirates' dominant 17-7 home victory over the Reds on Saturday. The 35-year-old reliever decided to throw at the batter, and MLB wasn't going to let that slide. After reaching a settlement, Devenski's suspension got knocked down to two games, according to multiple reports. He's set to start serving that suspension on Tuesday.

Devenski's Season So Far

The reliever has been rough early in the year. Through three relief appearances, Devenski is carrying a bloated 7.71 ERA with no decisions to his name. That's not the performance you want to see from a guy with over 300 career appearances and serious pedigree. The guy was an All-Star with the Houston Astros back in 2017 and owns a 27-22 record with a 3.93 ERA across his 319 career appearances and eight starts with seven different teams. He's still got gas left in the tank talent-wise, but this early stretch has been brutal.

Two games on the shelf won't help his ERA or his confidence, but that's what happens when you throw at somebody in the big leagues. Kelly's one-game ban is the price managers pay for having their players' backs, even when it costs them.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.