ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz plans to appeal the four-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball, according to a source.
The suspension stems from incident in a game on July 9 between the Sox and Orioles when Ortiz was brushed back and subsequently yelled at by O's reliever Kevin Gregg. Ortiz ultimately charged after Gregg, leading to a fight between the two with both benches clearing. Both players were suspsended four games by MLB earlier on Thursday.
O's reliever Mike Gonzalez also was suspended three games after he threw behind Ortiz two days after the initial incident, with manager Buck Showalter receiving a one-game suspension.
The Sox are getting ready to begin a series with the Rays on Friday and Ortiz will be eligible to play pending a hearing on his appeal.
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