Royals’ Yordano Ventura on his nine-game suspension: ‘I didn’t do (anything)’

On Thursday, Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura was hit with a nine-game suspension for his role in a fight with Orioles shortstop Manny Machado. On Friday, Ventura stood in front of his locker at U.S. Cellular Field and expressed surprise at the severity of his punishment.

“I didn’t do (anything) for nine games,” Ventura said. “But we’ll appeal.”

The brief interview was conducted in English — Ventura’s second language — with two reporters. Ventura generally prefers to do interviews in his native Spanish. But at a base level, his words needed no translation.

On Tuesday, Ventura plunked Machado in the fifth inning of the Royals’ 9-1 loss to the Orioles. The pitch ignited a brawl when Machado charged the mound. In the aftermath, Ventura maintained the pitch got away from him. He did not believe his actions warranted a suspension.

Ned Yost on Yordano Ventura and the brawl 

Ventura plans to appeal his decision. The appeal hearing could come during the Royals’ trip to New York in late June — though a date has not been set yet. In the meantime, Ventura will start Sunday here in Chicago after the Royals elected to skip right-hander Chris Young’s start on Saturday.

Royals manager Ned Yost was also surprised by the length of Ventura’s suspensions. He declined to comment further on the matter, saying he would let the appeals process play out. On Wednesday, however, he pointed out the role that Machado played in the incident.

“In the words of Forrest Gump,” Yost said on Friday, “ ‘That’s all I have to say about that.’ ”

Yordano Ventura and Manny Machado brawl: What next? 

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Royals’ Yordano Ventura on his nine-game suspension: ‘I didn’t do (anything)’."