Tigers' Valdez Gets 5-Game Suspension for Hitting Story

Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from Major League Baseball on Wednesday, one day after his ejection for hitting Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a pitch during a 10-2 loss at Comerica Park.

The incident occurred in the fourth inning Tuesday. Valdez had already allowed eight runs in the first three innings when Willson Contreras hit a 449-foot home run on the first pitch of the frame, admiring it from home plate before flipping his bat. Two pitches later, Wilyer Abreu homered to right field at 109.1 mph, making the score 10-2. Valdez's next pitch, a 94.4 mph four-seam fastball, struck Story between the numbers on his back. It marked Valdez's first four-seam fastball since August 3 of last year, when, pitching for the Houston Astros, he hit Boston's Ceddanne Rafaela with a similar pitch.

Home plate umpire Adam Beck and Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler immediately intervened. Both teams' benches and bullpens emptied, but no physical contact occurred and few harsh words were exchanged. Valdez was ejected, and MLB initially suspended him for six games, citing an intentional act. The penalty was reduced to five games...