By WFAN.com
Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia lost out on a $500k bonus when he got ejected on Thursday before completing a seventh inning, and now his pocketbook has gotten a little bit lighter once again.
Major League Baseball announced on Saturday that Sabathia has been suspended five games after he plunked Jesus Sucre in the sixth inning of a 12-1 Yankees’ win. The 38-year-old threw at Sucre and then gestured at Rays’ pitcher Andrew Kittredge after being ejected. Kittredge was suspended three games for his beaning of Austin Romine which really started the conflict. Sabathia had hit Jake Bauers on the wrist earlier in the game, but it didn't appear to be on purpose.
Sabathia’s suspension was set to be served at the beginning of the 2019 season, but he has decided to appeal the decision.
The Rays had already been eliminated from playoff contention two days prior, and the drama of the sixth inning came in a game that wasn't tightly contested. The Yankees jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. This was not the first time there has been bad blood between the two AL East rivals.
Sabathia will be a free agent after the season, so it's unclear if he will serve this suspension with the Yankees or with another team. If he stays in New York there could be a bit of spice left over when these two teams meet again in 2019.