Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana given suspension after video shows him taking swing at fan from bullpen
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana was handed a four-game suspension on Friday after he was seen taking a swing at a fan while he was in the bullpen during Thursday night's game against the Detroit Tigers.
The incident took place during the second game of a doubleheader between the Pirates and the Tigers at Comerica Park on Thursday.
Santana, who is in his second season with the Pirates, was seen on video approaching a fan and jumping up to take a swing at him.
Santana was ushered away from the fan and into the clubhouse by teammates following the incident.
According to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen, the Tigers said the fan involved in the incident was ejected from the game.
"You guys know me," Santana said following the game, through a translator. "I'm a calm demeanor type of person. I've never had any issues for any of the teams that I've played for. I guess the guy crossed the line a few times."
Santana said he didn't want to get into the details of what was said by the fan.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Noah Hiles reported that Pirates manager Don Kelly said he was still gathering facts about the incident and that he didn't have information to comment on the situation.
MLB issued a statement on the incident, saying Santana has received a suspension and an undisclosed fine for his "aggressive conduct" toward the fan.
Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham also got into a verbal altercation with fans during the game. All three fans were ejected from the ballpark. Pham declined to comment about the altercation following the game.
Santana's suspension was scheduled to begin on Friday as the Pirates host the Texas Rangers. Santana has elected to appeal the suspension, and any discipline will be postponed until a resolution is reached.
