Jonathan Papelbon reportedly files grievance against Nationals over suspension

By Josh Land

Nationals

December 06, 2015, 7:07pm

Comments

NASHVILLE - Jonathan Papelbon's stay in Washington just gets messier for the Nationals by the minute. The veteran closer has reportedly filed a grievance against the Nats for withholding his salary during a team-imposed four-game suspension at the end of the 2015 season.

Papelbon going into tunnel sidebar.jpg Rob Bradford of WEEI.com in Boston reported the story Sunday night, citing multiple major league sources.

The suspension resulted from Papelbon's dugout brawl with Bryce Harper on Sept. 28, which escalated to the reliever choking the MVP slugger before teammates and coaches intervened.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo called Papelbon's actions "not acceptable" when addressing the season-ending suspension the following day.

"That is not at all in line with the way our players are expected to conduct themselves, and the Nationals organization will not tolerate it in any way," Rizzo said.

According to the report, Papelbon's position is that "there is no precedent of a player having his salary withdrawn after such a team-issued suspension."

The Nationals acquired Papelbon from the Phillies on July 28, just before the trade deadline. The 35-year-old was 7-for-9 in save chances with a 3.04 ERA in 22 appearances.

Rizzo is reportedly looking to trade the closer this week at the Winter Meetings. Papelbon is owed $11 million in 2016, a large sum of which the Nats will likely be forced to swallow if they deal him.

A hearing date has not been set, according to the report. Rizzo is due to address the media at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Conference Center tomorrow afternoon.