Major League Baseball has handed Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana a four-game suspension and an undisclosed fine after he attempted to strike a fan during a tense moment in Thursday night’s doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.
The 29-year-old pitcher declined to go into detail when speaking with reporters postgame but said the fan “crossed the line.”
“You all know I’m a calm guy,” Santana said through an interpreter. “I’ve never had any problems with any team I’ve been on. But this fan went too far.”
The confrontation occurred during the seventh inning of the second game near the visitors’ bullpen. Santana was seen pointing toward a fan while accompanied by security before suddenly jumping and throwing a punch.
“He crossed the line, and I’ll leave it at that,” Santana said. “In my eight years in this league, I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
Santana remains eligible to play for the Pirates while he appeals the suspension.
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