MLB dropped the hammer on the Washington Nationals for intentionally plunking Freddie Freeman this week.
Freeman handled getting plunked quite well, as Sean Nolin came after him not once, but twice in consecutive at-bats. The Nationals made their intentions clear, and it ended with a Freeman bruise and a slow trot down to first base.
The Braves veteran opted not to escalate the conflict, instead taking his base and even chatting with Nationals star Juan Soto and explaining that Will Smith’s HBP from the night before — which evidently led to Freeman getting his — was not intentional.
As a result, Nolin and manager Davey Martinez were left looking silly in the eyes of MLB.
MLB suspends Sean Nolin and Davey Martinez of the Washington Nationals
Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN, Nolin has been suspended five games, which he is appealing, while Martinez will serve a one-game suspension on Friday night.
Nolin seems unlikely to win his appeal given his actions, which occurred on two consecutive at-bats from Freeman. Given the Nationals are out of the playoff race while the Braves are battling for the NL East crown, it’s not a great look for Washington.
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