Gibbons, Chavez suspended 3 games

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons and pitcher Jesse Chavez received three-game suspensions Tuesday for their roles in Sunday's bench-clearing brawl with the Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday.

Gibbons, who also received a $5,000 fine, is not allowed to appeal the suspension, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

First base coach Tim Leiper also received a one-game suspension.

DeMarlo Hale will serve as manager in Gibbons' absence.

Gibbons returned to the field during a melee between the two clubs after he was ejected in the third inning for arguing the strike zone of home plate umpire Dan Iassogna. Less than 24 hours after the ejection in Texas, the 53-year-old skipper was tossed from a contest versus the Tampa Bay Rays after arguing a strikeout pitch against shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

"I thought it was a little excessive but what are you gonna do," Gibbons told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "I've got enough issues to worry about."

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Chavez, meanwhile, will serve three games for throwing at Prince Fielder during the bottom of the eighth, prompting the benches to clear a second time. He will appeal the suspension and is available to the Blue Jays for Tuesday's game against Tampa Bay.

The suspension comes on the heels of Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor receiving a reported eight-game ban for punching Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista.