Marlins' Urena 'glad and thankful' Acuna is not injured

Miami Marlins starter Jose Urena was handed a six-game suspension for hitting Ronald Acuna Jr. with a pitch during Wednesday's contest against the Atlanta Braves, and the right-hander feels some remorse.

"While pitching against the Braves, my intentions were not to hurt anyone," Urena said in a statement released on Instagram, translated by Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. "I was pitching my game plan as I always do. Unfortunately, things escalated into something that was never intended. I am glad and thankful Ronald Acuna was able to return to the lineup this evening without there being any issues. I am a competitor and want to compete anytime I am on the mound, and have the utmost respect for those who I compete against."

Urena notoriously plunked Acuna with his first offering of the game and was promptly ejected following a small series of bench-clearing incidents.

The Marlins right-hander has opted to appeal the six-game suspension and could make Sunday's scheduled start against the Washington Nationals.