(670 The Score) As of mid-morning Friday, Cubs manager David Ross wasn't sure where he would watch his team's afternoon game against the Braves, but it won't be in the home dugout at Wrigley Field.
Ross was suspended for one game by MLB for his role in the Cubs throwing behind Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff during a 3-2 win in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Cubs reliever Ryan Tepera, who threw that pitch behind Woodruff in the fifth inning, was suspended three games. He's appealing that suspension, while Ross will serve his Friday, as managers don't have the right to appeal. Tepera and Ross each received fines as well.
The Brewers didn't receive any suspensions as part of the ongoing feud with the Cubs, who are upset that catcher Willson Contreras has been hit three times by Milwaukee pitchers this season. On Friday, Ross expressed his displeasure with the Cubs receiving punishment.
"It's just a little confusing to me from my seat," Ross said. "I have a hard time uderstandng it. I have a hard time understanding a lot of what's come down from Major League Baseball, but it's out of my control. I've voiced my displeasures to the power that be and we'll move on.
"This is a ball that got pulled down around (Woodruff's) calf. Like, we're talking about a middle-of-the-order bat for us that's got hit in the head, hit in the hand, around his face. Our starting pitcher (Alec Mills) actually during that game got thrown up and in around his face. You know, since I've been here, we lead the league in getting hit by pitches and it's not even close, the second one, and we've never intentionally retaliated to my knowledge.
"We threw one behind the guy's calf and we got suspensions and fines everywhere. That makes zero (expletive) sense to me."
Contreras revealed recently that he was fined $7,500 for his role in the benches clearing during a Cubs-Brewers game on April 6 at Wrigley Field. It marked the second consecutive game he was plunked by the Brewers.
Contreras has been hit by a pitch 12 times in 72 career games against the Brewers. The Cubs lead MLB in batters being hit by pitches since Ross took over as manager in 2020, with that occuring 61 times in 73 regular-season games. The Mets are second with 54 batters being hit over the span of 68 games since 2020.
Cubs bench coach Andy Green is expected to manage the team Friday in Ross' absence.
For his part, Tepera acknowledged he purposely threw behind Woodruff on Tuesday, but he also added there was "no malicious intent" as he tried to stand up for his teammates.
"I believe over time baseball has changed and to be blunt, today's baseball has become a bit soft," Tepera said, according to reports. "Back in the day matters were settled on the field.
"There was no malicious intent. It was a message that we'd had enough."
Projected starters
The Cubs will start right-hander Zach Davies against the Braves on Friday, the team announced. Right-hander Trevor Williams is set to make is scheduled start Saturday. Staff ace Kyle Hendricks could return to the mound Sunday at Wrigley Field after being scratched Tuesday due to an illness.
Roster move
The Cubs activated infielder Matt Duffy from the COVID-19 related injured list and returned infielder Ildemaro Vargas to their alternate training site.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
