It was announced on Wednesday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp will serve a one-game suspension against the Chicago Cubs for his actions during the game against the Texas Rangers on June 13.
The suspension was given after Kemp was ejected from the game when he barreled over Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos while trying to score on a fly ball to right field.
Him running over Chirinos was not illegal, but after both players got up they exchanged a few words and shoves, which prompted both ejections and suspensions.
Kemp could have dropped the appeal and served the suspension earlier, but felt that he was not in the wrong so he decided to follow through with the appeal. After a two-hour phone call with the league office on Monday, the decision to deny the appeal came just two days later.
While it is not ideal to have one of your best hitters miss a game, the Cubs are starting a right-hander in Kyle Hendricks, so it is not the worst day to give Kemp a breather.
Additionally, Kemp is in the midst of his worst slumps of the season, going just 2-for-26 (.077 batting average) with one home run in his last nine games.
Kemp is still having an All-Star season, however, batting .311/.351/.539 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI in 76 games, something that no one could have expected going into the season.
With Kemp out, Joc Pederson will get the start in left field with Cody Bellinger in center field and Max Muncy at first base.
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