The Padres' closer, Robert Suarez, has been suspended for three games after hitting Shohei Ohtani during yesterday's series against the Dodgers. Suarez plans to appeal on the grounds of it being unintentional and can continue to pitch before the suspension takes effect.

The MLB announced today that Padres closer Robert Suarez has been suspended for three games after hitting Shohei Ohtani during yesterday's game against the Dodgers. Suarez intends to appeal, claiming it was unintentional, and he is allowed to pitch until the suspension begins.

Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts have each received a one-game suspension after Roberts pushed Shildt following Tatis being hit by a pitch from Jack Little in the ninth inning, leading to both benches clearing.

Tatis' right hand X-ray came back negative yesterday, and today's MRI and CT scan confirmed no issues, allowing him to be in the starting lineup as the leadoff hitter for the first game against the Royals. "The candle worked," Shildt said with a wry smile, quoting Manny Machado's statement from the day before: "The Dodgers should light a candle and pray for Tatis to be okay."

After Tatis was hit in the ninth inning, both teams were warned. In the bottom of the ninth, when Suarez hit Ohtani (two stars hit in the same game within three days), he was immediately ejected. Suarez, through a translator, denied any intent: "It was definitely not intentional; the umpire made this decision due to the warnings issued to both teams."

The Dodgers strongly disagreed with this assertion, with Roberts stating yesterday that it was "clearly intentional." Shildt defended himself yesterday: "We will fully appeal the suspension — the nature of the hit by pitch was special when tying runs were on base in the critical ninth inning." Shildt accepted the suspension decision: "I understand the league's position, and I will comply without objection tonight." Roberts served his suspension on the same day. The league's official statement noted that the suspensions were due to "violating sportsmanship and inciting conflict."

When asked if the conflict with Roberts had become personal, Shildt avoided the question but mentioned last year's NL Division Series when Machado threw a ball towards Roberts, causing tension: "I defend my team, I don't hold grudges, but I stand my ground."

Bench coach Brian Esposito will serve as the acting head coach today. Due to the previous night’s warnings still being in effect, Esposito was forced to be ejected when Ohtani was hit (Shildt had already been ejected in the ninth inning), and the game was ultimately managed to a 5-3 victory by defensive coordinator Robby Hammock.