NATIONALS
Papelbon suspended four games
WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon will miss the rest of the season after Sunday’s dugout fight with teammate Bryce Harper — four games because of a team suspension for that episode and three games because he dropped his appeal of a Major League Baseball ban for throwing at an opponent’s head last week.
Nationals Manager Matt Williams said Harper, a leading National League MVP contender, was held out of the starting lineup for Monday’s home finale against Cincinnati for “his part in the altercation” with Papelbon on Sunday.
Harper, though, said after Sunday’s game that he was scheduled to be off Monday.
“It’s been a very difficult 24 hours for the organization,” Williams said at his pregame news conference, which started 1 1/2 hours later than scheduled. “Incidents like that in the dugout [are] not the way we want to play our games.”
Harper flied out in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, and headed to the dugout, where he and Papelbon exchanged words. The argument escalated, and Papelbon reached out with his left hand and grabbed Harper by the throat.
Papelbon then shoved the outfielder toward the bench with both hands, before teammates and members of Williams’ coaching staff pulled the pair apart.
Williams was at the other end of the dugout and, he said Monday, was not aware of exactly what happened until later in the day, when he saw video of the scrap. Williams said he hadn’t seen that video before his postgame news conference Sunday and hadn’t sought information from his coaches or other players during the game. He added that because he was unaware of the extent of the confrontation, he sent Papelbon back out to pitch in the ninth inning.
When he eventually did see video of Papelbon clutching at Harper’s neck, Williams said, “I was upset. I was appalled.”
CARDINALS
Molina’s return pushed back
PITTSBURGH — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina met with team doctors Monday in St. Louis and was prescribed at least another week of rest for the torn ligament in his left hand.
That means the catcher will not appear in the regular season.
“Obviously we were hoping for better news, but in the scheme of things we’re just going to have to remain patience,” General Manager John Mozeliak said. “Depending on where we end up in October could dictate if there is still a possibility.”
Molina will remain in a splint.
The situation is similar to Allen Craig’s in 2013 — where the longer the Cardinals remain alive in the postseason, the greater the possibility that Molina will be able to contribute at some point. Mozeliak acknowledged there could be a question about Molina’s contribution to the team if he can catch only — and not hit. Removing a bat entirely from a National League lineup that already struggles to score may not be ideal.
Mozeliak said he has not addressed that with the coaching staff and would like the manager’s and others’ input before answering the catch-only question.
Adam Wainwright could be activated as soon as today, and he would be available to pitch Wednesday against Pittsburgh, if needed.
Wainwright threw a simulated game Monday afternoon at PNC Park.
His pitches were probably the least of what he had to prove.
Wainwright completed a series of fielding plays to prove his agility and comfort moving around the field. He was able to scoop up a bunt and mimic a throw to third base as if to get the lead runner. He raced to back up third base on a hit to the outfield. He acted as if he threw a wild pitch or passed ball and rushed to the plate — even though there was a cage surrounding the hitter and batter.
To complete his workout, Wainwright ran a few pickoff plays that ended in rundowns between first and second.
He completed the rundown with Manager Mike Matheny taking the throw from bench coach David Bell and then returning the ball to Wainwright for the tag.
If he gets the approval of the staff, his next throw will be in a game.
Angels
Latos signed for final week
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Veteran right-hander Mat Latos has signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels, three days after he was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Latos is in his seventh big-league season at age 27, and his first appearance with the Angels will mark his American League debut. He also pitched for the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins, topping out at 14 victories with San Diego (2010) and twice with Cincinnati (2012-13).
Latos began this season with Miami, going 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts before going to the Dodgers with Michael Morse as part of a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Braves.
Latos’ final appearance as a Dodger was on Sept. 15, when he gave up a home run to Colorado’s Nolan Arenado in the 16th inning of a 5-4 loss at Dodger Stadium. That was his first relief appearance in the big leagues after 174 starts.
Blue Jays
Tulowitzki might return for playoffs
BALTIMORE — Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki tested his injured shoulder by taking batting practice Monday and expects to return in time for the postseason.
Tulowitzki hasn’t played since Sept. 12, when he cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back after colliding with teammate Kevin Pillar in a game against the New York Yankees.
After taking between 30 and 40 swings, Tulowitzki said, “Hitting is the last thing. This is pretty much the first time I have hit live.”
The Blue Jays obtained Tulowitzki from Colorado on July 28 in a multi-player deal. He’s batting just .232 with the Blue Jays, but they’re 30-8 with him in the starting lineup.
Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons said Tulowitzki could return sometime this week.
Asked if he expected to be ready for the postseason, Tulowitzki said, “Definitely.”
Mariners
Dipoto named general manager
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have found their new general manager, announcing Monday they have hired former Los Angeles Angels GM Jerry Dipoto.
He replaces Jack Zduriencik, who was fired in late August after seven disappointing seasons during which the club failed to end its playoff drought. With the Toronto Blue Jays making the postseason this year, the Mariners now have the longest playoff absence in baseball at 14 years and counting.
Dipoto’s job will be to end that playoff drought and continue rebuilding a farm system that had highs and lows during Zduriencik’s tenure. Dipoto was the Angels’ general manager for 3½ years before resigning on July 1 following clashes with Manager Mike Scioscia that began the first year they worked together.
He’s been working as a consultant for the Boston Red Sox since mid-August.
Dipoto’s first job in Seattle will be deciding the future of Manager Lloyd McClendon. Mariners President Kevin Mather said on the day Zduriencik was fired that McClendon was under contract through 2016, but that the decision on a field manager would be up to the new GM.
McClendon had a rousing first season in Seattle when the club won 85 games and its postseason fate came down to the final weekend, but the Mariners regressed this year and entered Monday eight games under .500.