The San Diego Padres received a three-game suspension along with a fine on Friday.
Robert Suarez will still be able to play for the Padres, actually facing the Kansas City team later that night.
Both Padres manager Mike Schilt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts were suspended for one game and fined due to their involvement in an altercation during the Padres’ 5-3 win at Dodger Stadium.
“I support that,” Roberts commented regarding the league’s decision. “I really don’t want games to become about managers. It should focus on winning with players. Last night, both managers were doing what they thought was right for their teams.”
The confrontation escalated in the ninth inning when both managers rushed onto the field, leading to a heated argument before players and coaches had to step in.
Schilt seems to think that Dodgers pitcher Jack Little intentionally hit Fernando Tatis Jr., igniting the latest rivalry incident between these two teams that have had their share of history.
“This series has been tough. In the end, I don’t regret standing up for Tatis and my team and the city I care about,” Schilt mentioned. “We can all circle around our thoughts and theories.”
“But regarding my actions, it’s not something you make a habit of—just trying to navigate the situation. Yet, I feel the right actions were taken, and I stand by my choices,” he added.
Both Schilt and Roberts will begin serving their suspensions on Friday.
Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehman will take the reins against Washington, while Padres bench coach Brian Esposito will manage the San Diego team.
During the ninth inning, Shohei Ohtani was hit on the shoulder by a pitch from Suarez, and he promptly advanced to base as the Dodgers mounted a three-run rally.
Ohtani’s teammates seemed ready to charge the field again, but he chose to de-escalate by approaching the Padres dugout with light-hearted gestures.
Suarez insisted on Friday that he wasn’t retaliating towards Tatis.
“I wasn’t trying to start anything,” Suarez explained via an interpreter. “It’s unfortunate that things escalated. I was thrown out and couldn’t finish the game, but we managed to win as a team. The Dodgers can voice their opinions, of course.”
Ohtani went ahead with a scheduled bullpen session on Friday, despite being hit by Suarez the previous night.
Roberts indicated that Ohtani is still expected to start on Sunday.
Tatis was included in the Padres lineup on Friday, while Manny Machado advised that the Dodgers should “pray” for Tatis.
