SAN FRANCISCO -- After all that, Hunter Strickland's suspension stands.
The Giants will play a man short the next six games, starting tonight. Strickland's suspension, which he appealed, was not reduced as hoped. The Georgia native will miss all four games against the Braves, plus the first two home games against the Mets this weekend.
Strickland threw a pitch at Bryce Harper's hip on May 29 and the two squared off and threw blows in one of the wildest MLB fights in recent memory. Both players were suspended and fined the next day and both appealed. Harper's suspension was reduced from four games to three and he started serving it during the final game of that series.
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Strickland was told that that his hearing would be June 13, and he has said he has not been given an explanation why there was such a long delay. Giants officials have said the same thing. Strickland had a two-hour hearing with MLB and MLBPA officials last Tuesday, during which he expressed regret for the position he put his team in and for the fact that kids had to watch such a violent display on a baseball field.
With a suspension looming, Bruce Bochy used Strickland in both games against the Royals last week despite the fact that the Giants were trailing big both days. He then used Strickland in the opener at Coors Field. Afterward, Bochy said it was "disappointing" that it was taking so long for MLB to issue a ruling. The delay affected the bullpen and other potential roster moves.