Rangers’ Odor suspended eight games, Andrus one for brawl with Toronto

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor was suspended eight games Tuesday by Major League Baseball for punching Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista on Sunday and starting a benches-clearing brawl in the eighth inning.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was also suspended one game for a punch he threw at Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar that was caught by MLB officials on video, but no other Rangers player or coach was suspended. Fines, though, have been levied against Matt Bush for intentionally throwing at Bautista, fellow right-hander Sam Dyson and bench coach Steve Buechele for aggressive actions, and righty A.J. Griffin and catcher Robinson Chirinos for being on the field while on the disabled list.

Andrus will serve his suspension later Tuesday in a game against the Oakland A’s. Odor will appeal the ban, meaning he will be available to play until his appeal is heard.

Bautista was suspended one game for his actions and for his postgame comments. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was banned three games because he came back to the field after having previously been ejected, and righty Jesse Chavez got three games for hitting Prince Fielder after both teams had been warned.

Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson and center fielder Pillar were fined, along with bench coach DeMarlo Hale.

Odor’s punch came two batters after Matt Bush hit Bautista in the padding on his left elbow and the ball deflected down and hit Bautista in the hip.

It was the first pitch of the inning.

An angry Bautista went to first base and later made a late slide into second base as Odor tried to turn a double play. Bautista hopped up with his chest out. Odor shoved him and then beat Bautista to the punch with a right to the jaw as it looked as if Bautista was getting ready to punch him.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre grabbed Bautista and restrained him well back from the growing melee, in which it is believed that Odor also punched Donaldson.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Rangers’ Odor suspended eight games, Andrus one for brawl with Toronto."