Due to his “inappropriate actions” during a game earlier this week, Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman was fined and suspended for two games by Major League Baseball. However, on Friday, Chapman’s suspension was lowered to one game after winning an appeal. When the Pirates play the Boston Red Sox on Friday night, he will serve out his suspension.
Chapman, 36, was dismissed from the game on Monday against the New York Mets during the eighth inning after it seemed that he and home-plate umpire Edwin Moscoso were having a disagreement about balls and strikes. Here is a look at the relevant incident:
It’s unclear exactly what Chapman said to Moscoso to cause the suspension or ejection. Following the game, reporters were informed by Pirates manager Derek Shelton, “It appears that he said something that the umpire did not like.”
Chapman had a nasty outing before being ejected. He gave up three runs on a hit and a walk while recording only one out. (Though Chapman did strike out two batters, one of them reached when the catcher mishandled the game-winning pitch.)
In 5 2/3 innings this season, Chapman has a 4.76 ERA (92 ERA+) and a 1.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Out of the 26 hitters he has faced, he has struck out 11. Six of those batters have received free passes from him as well. Despite not being the Pirates’ regular closer, Chapman has already recorded a save this year. His 322nd big-league outing ranked him third among pitchers currently in action.
During the summer, Chapman inked a $10.5 million one-year contract with the Pirates. With a 146 ERA+ in 61 games split between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers, who won the World Series, he had a breakout season in 2023.
With an 11-8 start to the season, the Pirates have reclaimed a game in the National League Central.