MLB Suspends Dodgers, Padres Managers After Tatis-Ohtani Hit-by-Pitch Chaos

Major League Baseball has dropped the hammer on Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, suspending each for one game after a fiery bench-clearing fracas during Thursday night’s clash. Padres reliever Robert Suárez also faces a three-game suspension for his role in the chaos.

The drama erupted in the ninth inning when Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. took a 93 mph fastball to the hand from Dodgers reliever Jack Little. It marked the third time this season Tatis has been plunked by Dodgers pitchers in just seven games, sparking outrage from Shildt. The Padres skipper stormed across the field, confronting Roberts in a heated face-off as both teams’ dugouts and bullpens spilled onto the diamond.

Tensions escalated further when Suárez, pitching in the bottom of the ninth, drilled Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani with a 100 mph fastball to the shoulder. Ohtani, showing remarkable composure, waved off his teammates to avoid further escalation. Both managers and Suárez were ejected, but the Padres held on for a 5-3 victory.

The incident has left lingering concerns, with Tatis awaiting X-ray and CT scan results. Padres third baseman Manny Machado didn’t mince words: "They gotta pray those come back negative." Shildt echoed the sentiment, calling out the repeated hits on Tatis: "Enough is enough. One of the game’s best players is getting X-rays right now."

Roberts, while acknowledging the hit on Tatis was unintentional, expressed frustration at Shildt’s confrontation but praised Ohtani for de-escalating the situation. The Dodgers, who won three of four in the series, lead the season series 5-2. These NL West rivals won’t face off again until mid-August, but the bad blood is sure to simmer.