It took nearly a week for Major League Baseball to reach a verdict on Giants’ reliever Hunter Strickland’s suspension appeal, but on Monday, Strickland learned his appeal was denied.
Strickland was suspended for six games on May 30 after hitting Nationals’ outfielder Bryce Harper with a 98-mile per hour fastball in the Giants’ 3-0 loss on May 29. After the pitch, Harper charged the mound, leading to a benches-clearing brawl between the two clubs.
The Giants announced Monday that Strickland will begin serving his six-game appeal on Monday in Atlanta. Strickland will be eligible to pitch again on Sunday at AT&T Park.
Three teammates needed to restrain Strickland from Harper and drag him off the field following the incident.
Major League Baseball initially suspended Strickland for six games and Harper for three games, and Harper has already served his suspension.
Strickland appealed his suspension, and Major League Baseball held a hearing with Strickland last Tuesday.
Strickland said in the Giants’ clubhouse on Tuesday that his hearing lasted for roughly two hours, and he was confident his lawyers made a strong case for his suspension to be reduced.
Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said the team anticipated to hear a verdict on Strickland’s appeal on Tuesday evening or on Wednesday, but by the end of San Francisco’s four-game series in Colorado, the club had yet to hear from MLB officials.
With Strickland set to miss time, Bochy took advantage of Strickland’s arm while he was still available, using him in three consecutive games, including in Thursday’s 10-9 loss to the Rockies. Strickland was on the mound when Raimel Tapia hooked a one-out single through the right side of the infield to help the Rockies earn a walk-off victory after the Giants fought back from an eight-run deficit.
In 30 appearances this season, Strickland has compiled a 2.08 earned run average, allowing 23 hits and collecting 26 strikeouts.
With Strickland out, the Giants will be forced to play with a 24-man roster.