Tigers’ Valdez gets 5-game suspension for hitting Story

Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez received a five-game suspension and was fined an undisclosed amount for hitting Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story during Tuesday’s 10-3 loss, MLB announced Wednesday.

Valdez was originally handed a six-game ban, but MLB quickly reduced his punishment after the league and MLB players’ association agreed to avoid an appeal, according to Dave Hogg of The Associated Press. As a result, he will begin serving his suspension immediately and miss his next scheduled start Sunday against the Kansas City Royals.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch also got a one-game suspension and was fined an undisclosed amount. He’ll serve his punishment Wednesday against the Red Sox.

“Generally when you have an event like last night where there’s a disruption of play and there’s a guy kicked out of the game for what is deemed throwing at somebody, that doesn’t come for free,” Hinch said Wednesday.

Valdez gave up back-to-back homers in the fourth inning before plunking Story. Both dugouts emptied in response.

(Video source: MLB.com)

Valdez denied having intentionally thrown at Story following Tuesday’s game.

The 32-year-old, who joined Detroit as a free agent this past winter, owns a 4.57 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 15 walks across eight starts this season.

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