Pirates Manager and Pitcher Suspended After Incident Involving Reds Rookie The Pittsburgh Pirates will open Tuesday’s series against the Arizona Diamondbacks without their manager, Don Kelly, who was suspended by Major League Baseball (MLB) for one game following an altercation during a game against the Cincinnati Reds. The suspension was linked to an incident involving Pirates pitcher Chris Devenski, who was also penalized for throwing at Reds rookie Sal Stewart. Devenski’s suspension was initially set at three games but was reduced to two games after he agreed to a settlement. Both suspensions will take effect starting Tuesday. The incident occurred during the seventh inning of the Pirates’ 17-7 victory over the Reds on Saturday. With the Pirates leading 15-6, Devenski delivered a fastball inside to Stewart, nearly striking the rookie. Stewart appeared upset by the pitch, prompting the umpires to intervene. The crew chief, Alan Porter, cited the timing of Stewart’s movement as a key factor in the decision to eject Devenski. Porter explained that Stewart had stepped out of the batter’s box before the pitch, which led to the umpires concluding that Devenski intentionally targeted him. Devenski denied intentionally throwing at Stewart, stating he was attempting to pitch inside and that Stewart “took it the wrong way.” The Reds’ rookie, who has been performing well this season, went 0-for-13 against the Pirates during the series. The incident highlights the tensions that can arise in high-stakes baseball matchups, particularly when players from rival teams clash. The Pirates and Reds, who are in the same division, are scheduled to play again on June 26, providing an opportunity for the teams to face off again.#major_league_baseball #pittsburgh_pirates #sal_stewart #don_kelly #chris_devenski
