Did MLB make a mistake by not suspending Betances?

Major League Baseball issued suspensions to four players Friday following a brawl-filled game between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees the previous afternoon.

Miguel Cabrera received the stiffest penalty of everyone involved, landing a seven-game suspension for throwing punches and inciting the first bench-clearing melee. Gary Sanchez (4 games), Alex Wilson (4 games), Austin Romine (2 games), and Brad Ausmus (1 game) will also miss time stemming from their actions.

While those who were handed suspensions were all full participants in the events, MLB opted to neither suspend nor fine Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, who was ejected in the seventh inning after planting a 98-mph fastball off the head of Tigers catcher James McCann.

Did the league make a mistake by not disciplining Betances? TheScore's MLB editors Brandon Wile and Jason Wilson debate:

What is MLB thinking?

Do I think Betances intentionally threw at McCann's head? No. Do I think that he should still be held responsible for hitting an opponent in the head following a benches-clearing brawl? 100 percent. Whether there was intent or not, the optics were terrible, and all parties involved are extremely fortunate that McCann was able to get up without any injury.

Prior to Thursday's game, Betances hadn't hit a batter over his last 14 appearances, but he managed to hit the first Tiger he faced an inning after an on-field fight. MLB had no issue cracking down on Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes when it handed him a four-game suspension earlier this season for throwing a pitch behind the head of Manny Machado. But when Betances connects with his target, it's overlooked.

The league should have a zero tolerance policy for hitting someone in the head, and Betances got off without a slap on the wrist. MLB should have sent a message to the Yankees hurler, and all pitchers, that they need to be in control at all times. - Wile

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Taking Betances at his word

Hitting McCann in the head on purpose would have been incredibly stupid for a litany of reasons. Betances knows this, and he said as much after the game. He talked about the Yankees' pennant race and his importance to the team as one reason why he wouldn't jeopardize his roster spot. He also mentioned that hitting another player in the head could cost someone his career.

While there is a chance that he's simply saying all the right things to avoid suspension, he could just as easily be speaking candidly and honestly. And intent should matter. If you take Betances at his word, then you can't suspend him for a fluke accident. The difference between Betances and Barnes is intent, even if Betances made contact when Barnes did not. There is a clear argument suggesting Betances is lying - which is fair - but MLB doesn't seem comfortable making that assumption.

Maybe the fact that McCann didn't leave the game played into it, though it really shouldn't. While a suspension or fine isn't an outlandish suggestion by any means, neither is the opposite. - Wilson