Cade Cavalli, a right-hander for the Washington Nationals, will begin a five-game suspension Monday after appealing an initial decision of seven games for his actions in an altercation with Willson Contreras and the Boston Red Sox last week.

There was no immediate word whether the other three disciplined players — Contreras, Boston’s Nate Eaton or Washington’s Miles Mikolas — would have their suspensions reduced. All four players appealed. Mikolas started the Nationals’ home game Monday against the Houston Astros while his suspension is held in abeyance.

Major League Baseball suspended Cavalli and Contreras for seven games, Mikolas for five and Eaton for three for their roles during a benches-clearing incident last Tuesday. They were also fined an undisclosed amount.

Cavalli apologized Wednesday for his comment toward Contreras that ignited the fracas in the fourth inning of Washington’s 8-1 win. Replay video of the incident found Cavalli had said “Sit down, boy!” after striking Contreras out and used the word “boy” multiple times afterward.

Contreras, who is Venezuelan, said after the game Tuesday that he didn’t know if there were any racial overtones to Cavalli calling him “boy.” Cavalli insisted he did not intend to use the term disparagingly.

Incident and Aftermath

Cavalli started Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates while awaiting the outcome of his appeal and lasted just 2 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The 27-year-old, playing in his third MLB season, is 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA in 19 starts.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.