Nationals suspend Papelbon 4 games for Harper brawl

Jonathan Papelbon's season is officially over.

The Washington Nationals suspended Papelbon four games for his role in a dugout altercation with teammate Bryce Harper on Sunday.

"The behavior exhibited by Papelbon yesterday is not acceptable," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a press release. "That is not at all in line with the way our players are expected to conduct themselves, and the Nationals organization will not tolerate it in any way."

On top of that suspension, the right-hander also dropped his appeal against a separate three-game suspension for throwing at the head of Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado.

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With seven games remaining on Washington's schedule, the suspensions rule Papelbon out for the rest of the season.

Manager Matt Williams told reporters that Papelbon likely won't join the club on its final road trip and that the pitcher's status for next season will be addressed at a later date.

"It's important for us to come together and not have this define us as a team," Williams said.

Harper was kept out of Monday's lineup against the Cincinnati Reds because of the incident, although he hasn't been suspended.

Since being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies, the 34-year-old Papelbon owns a 3.04 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP, while converting seven-of-nine save opportunities.