The altercation between Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon and umpire Joe West on Sunday has resulted in disciplinary action for both parties.
Papelbon was handed a seven-game suspension on Monday, and on Wednesday afternoon West was given a one-game suspension.
MLB executive vice-president for baseball operations Joe Torre explained the decision:
Joe West handled himself appropriately in ejecting Papelbon after the player's lewd gesture to the fans. I fully understand that Joe was reacting to a player who was acting aggressively, and can understand his frustration with the situation. However, Joe knows that an umpire cannot initiate physical contact with a player just as a player cannot initiate physical contact with an umpire. I spoke to Joe about the incident, and he admitted that there was a better way to handle the situation. I consider this matter closed.