BALTIMORE — Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and Baltimore Orioles closer Kevin Gregg began three-day suspensions Monday after having their four-game suspensions reduced following an appeal.

Both players will sit out the entire series between Baltimore and Boston that runs through Wednesday. Ortiz and Gregg were given four-game suspensions after nearly getting into a fight during a game in Boston.

“Got to take it like a man,” Ortiz said. “You just don’t want to go over the same things again. Doing what I did wasn’t the right thing to do, so you’re going to be punished. Just want to get over with and continue the season.”

Gregg was miffed that he got the same amount of time as Ortiz, Gregg insisted he was just doing his job – pitching inside to a good hitter – and Ortiz overreacted.

“MLB has offered to take a three-game suspension and a slight reduction in the fine,” Gregg said. “Ortiz and I are both going to sit out this series. That’s it.”

“I talked to the league a little bit, I talked to the player’s association a little bit,” he said. “The bottom line is trying to do what’s in the best interest of the team. Just to get things done, to take my time now. I still don’t think it’s fair that we have the same fine, same suspension, but we’re going to move past that point and get on with the season.”

 

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