Two MLB players were part of a brawl before a game on Friday, and the fight reportedly had nothing to do with their respective teams.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham allegedly slapped San Francisco Giants outfielder Jock Pedersen after a disagreement over fantasy football, according to The Athletic.
Pedersen confirmed that Pham slapped him on the cheek during an interview with reporters after Friday’s game.
“It was a surprise,” Pedersen said.
The sports news outlet reported that the player is among several MLB players in the fantasy sports league.
in an interviewPedersen said he had placed a football player on the injured reserve list during league play last year, although the player was listed as “out” in the league. He said he added another player to his team before someone accused him of “hiding players” on the bench of his fantasy football team.
Pedersen stated that there was “no real argument” prior to his conversation with Pham and that the opposing player raised the fantasy football issue before the slap.
“There were so many people around, I didn’t get emotional,” Pedersen said. “I don’t think violence is the answer, I guess you could say … it was an unfortunate situation.”
you can See Pedersen’s Explanation to Journalists Below
The Giants asked Pham to be scratched from the lineup on Friday, sources in The Athletic said, and the Reds took his place before his start.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said during a media availability before the game that the team was “investigating” the matter.
,[We’re] Knowing as much as I can about this incident, I have nothing more for you right now. I think we will have a clearer understanding after the game,” said Kapler.
,[We’re] Take it very seriously and I and I can learn as soon as possible.”
Before the game, the two had to part ways in left field during batting practice, According to Reds Beat reporter Mark Sheldon,
In a series of tweets, Sheldon said the scene “spread out without any escalating incident” and shared the video from the field.
The Reds said Major League Baseball is investigating the slap and Pham will not play until the results of the investigation are clear, The Athletic reported.
Pham has played in MLB since 2014 and joined the Reds this season. The player continued to play professional baseball after being diagnosed with keratoconus, a rare vision disorder, in 2008.
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