MLB Lifts Suspension for Matt Chapman After In-Game Incident
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman has seen Major League Baseball (MLB) withdraw the one-game suspension that had been imposed on him. Instead, Chapman will have to pay a financial fine for his participation in the altercation that occurred in the game against the Colorado Rockies on September 2nd. The announcement was made by the Giants on Friday, before the start of the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The decision was made after an agreement with the Commissioner’s Office. Chapman faced a suspension and an undisclosed fine after contact with Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland. Both Chapman, Freeland, and Giants shortstop Willy Adames were ejected from the game following the incident in the first inning, during San Francisco’s 7-4 victory at Coors Field. Chapman led the Giants in the 10-8 victory against the Rockies in the following game, while the appeal was considered. Freeland, Adames, and Rafael Devers were also fined for their involvement in the altercation. The tension escalated after Devers hit a two-run homer in the first inning and celebrated before beginning his slow trip around the bases.Devers hit a pitch that went over the right field fence, and Freeland disagreed with Devers’ celebration, causing both players to start yelling at each other. Several players went to the field, and MLB determined that Chapman was sanctioned for “pushing” Freeland. Adames was also involved in the confrontation.“We don’t feel like we were the ones who started the conflict. It is what it is, and we must move forward. We’ll see what happens with the appeal. The other sanctions were fines,” Giants manager Bob Melvin stated the next day.
Bob Melvin, Giants Manager
