MLB suspends Harper, Strickland for bench-clearing fight

MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre announced Tuesday that San Francisco Giants reliever Hunter Strickland and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper have both been handed suspensions following the fight and bench-clearing incident in Monday's contest.

Strickland was given a six-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Harper, while Harper received a four-game ban for charging the mound and throwing his helmet.

Both players have elected to appeal their suspensions, however, meaning Strickland and Harper will be available to their respective clubs Tuesday night. Harper is in the Nationals' starting lineup for Tuesday's game, batting in his customary No. 3 spot in the order and playing right field.

"If that's what they want to do, then that's on them (MLB)," Harper told Mark Zuckerman of MASN after receiving word of his suspension.

Strickland touched off the incident when he plunked Harper with a fastball in the eighth inning of Monday's game. Harper immediately charged the mound and attempted to throw his helmet at Strickland; both players landed punches before they were separated.

The combatants had not faced each other in a game since the 2014 NLDS, when Harper took Strickland deep twice during that four-game series, ultimately won by San Francisco.