Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana has received a four-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from Major League Baseball due to “aggressive conduct toward a fan” during Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Santana is appealing the suspension, which allows him to remain eligible to pitch in Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
The incident happened in the seventh inning of the second game of a doubleheader. Multiple fans recorded Santana jumping up from the visitors’ bullpen to swat at a fan in the left-field stands. According to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen, the fan involved was ejected from the stadium following the confrontation.
Santana stayed in the game and was pitching in the ninth inning when rain caused a delay of over an hour. He pitched one-third of an inning before being replaced by David Bednar after the delay, with the score tied 4-4. The Pirates ultimately won 8-4, splitting the doubleheader.
After the game, Santana spoke about the situation, saying the fan had “crossed the line a few times.”
“You guys know me — I’m a calm demeanor type of person,” Santana said via team translator Stephen Morales, according to the Associated Press. “I’ve never had any issues for any of the teams I’ve played for. This guy crossed the line a few times.”
Santana didn’t go into detail about what the fan said but mentioned that he expressed regret about the incident to Pirates bench coach Don Kelly.
