NEW YORK (AP) — Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been suspended for three games and fined by Major League Baseball for making contact with an umpire during an argument.
The commissioner’s office announced the penalty Wednesday. Unless he appeals, Mesoraco will begin serving his suspension Wednesday night against San Diego.
The rookie was ejected for arguing balls and strikes during Monday night’s 11-5 loss to the Padres. Before leaving the field, he poked a finger at plate umpire Chad Fairchild’s chest protector and bumped him.
Mesoraco was batting .221 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 46 games for the NL Central leaders. His punishment was handed out by Joe Garagiola Jr., senior vice president of standards and on-field operations for MLB.
