Twins' Romo suspended 1 game for 'inappropriate actions' in Friday's game

Minnesota Twins reliever Sergio Romo has been suspended one game for his "inappropriate actions" during a benches-clearing incident in Friday's contest against the Cleveland Indians, the league announced Saturday.

Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor was fined for his role in the incident. Romo also received an undisclosed fine.

Romo elected not to appeal the suspension and will miss Saturday's game against Cleveland, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

The incident took place in the eighth inning of Friday's game. After Romo induced a pop-up from Lindor, he flashed a smile in the star shortstop's direction, leading to words being exchanged. Both benches cleared and the players were separated without punches being thrown.

(Source: MLB.com)

Despite his decision to not appeal the suspension, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Saturday that Romo isn't sure the discipline was warranted.

"He's frustrated with the situation," Baldelli said, according to Phil Miller of the Star Tribune. "(He) believes it takes two for these types of things to happen."

Baldelli added that he thinks Romo's yelling at the Kansas City Royals during a game last month may have helped influence Saturday's suspension, according to Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Romo wasn't disciplined for his spat with the Royals, during which he yelled at slugger Jorge Soler to "keep talking" after striking him out.

The 37-year-old Romo has been an important reliever for the Twins this season, posting a 3.31 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings.