Tyler Austin suspended for four games following Yankees - Red Sox brawl

Update (4/26/2018): Per Meredith Marakovits, Major League Baseball made a decision on Tyler Austin’s appealed suspension. Austin will be suspended for four games instead of five. He will begin serving it tomorrow. That means the Yankees have to play the entire series with the Angels, and one game with the Astros, shorthanded.

Original Story (4/12/2018): We didn’t have to wait long to hear from Major League Baseball regarding last night’s brawl between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Per MLB, Tyler Austin and Joe Kelly received suspensions for their roles in the fracas. The Yankees will be without Austin for five games, while the Red Sox lost Kelly for six. Both will appeal their suspensions.

Austin, 26, has split time between first base and the designated spot. He’s hit to a 265/.359/.500 batting line with a pair of home runs, both of which came against the Blue Jays and Marco Estrada. An original Baby Bomber, he has become something of a fan favorite over the last few months.

According to Jack Curry, third base coach Phil Nevin was issued a fine for his heated exchange with Boston manager Alex Cora. In addition, CC Sabathia received a fine of his own for taking the field while on the disabled list. That’s the same punishment that Clint Frazier and Garrett Cooper received last year during the fight with the Tigers.

When Austin begins to serve his suspension, following the appeal process, the Yankees will have to play short-handed. The team cannot call up a replacement. They, in essence, play with a 24-man roster. That’s tough, but it could be worse. It’s also a question for another day. In the meantime, business on the field calls. Go out and win the series.