NEW YORK -- Mets reliever Hansel Robles plans to appeal his three-game suspension for throwing near the head of Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp earlier this week, making Robles potentially available throughout this weekend's series against the Nationals.
Major League Baseball suspended Robles three games for a quick pitch that nearly hit Rupp in the head, which would have been the fourth hit batsman in Wednesday's 7-5 loss to the Phillies. MLB called the pitch intentional in its ruling, noting that both benches had been warned.
The drama began when Phillies reliever Justin De Fratus hit Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes on the left hand with a fastball, knocking him out of the game.