MLB considering suspensions for Blue Jays, Orioles

Major League Baseball is considering disciplinary action for players involved in an incident last night between the Blue Jays and Orioles, according to Joel Sherman:

MLB looking into suspensions/fines from #orioles #Bluejays hostilities last nite. Stroman got 6 gms for throwing behind Joseph last yr (con)

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 22, 2015

The incident began when Baltimore reliever Jason Garcia threw a pitch behind Toronto's Jose Bautista. Bautista then proceeded to homer off of Garcia and get into a shouting match with the Orioles' Adam Jones, who took exception to Bautista's reaction to the home run.

As Sherman notes, there is history of this kind between the two clubs. Toronto starter Marcus Stroman was suspended six games for throwing behind Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph last season, so the Blue Jays are wondering why the same standard would not apply to Garcia.

This is the second incident in the span of a week involving pitchers throwing behind opposing hitters, as the Royals' Kelvin Herrera was suspended five games for throwing behind Oakland's Brett Lawrie on Sunday.

What suspensions could mean

The most obvious candidate for a suspension in this case would be Garcia. If he is suspended it would deplete an already struggling Orioles bullpen. Just three Baltimore relievers, closer Zach Britton, setup man Darren O'Day and lefty specialist Brian Matusz have ERAs below 4.82 in the early going this season. A suspension to Garcia would likely lead to an increased workload for fellow right-handers Tommy Hunter and Brad Brach in middle relief.

Other players could put themselves in line for a suspension should the hostility between the two teams increase as the series goes on, as it did in the case of Kansas City and Oakland, but as of now Garcia is the only player facing suspension as a result of last night.