Somehow, Matt Chapman got the brunt of the punishment for the benches-clearing altercation between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies.
Kyle Freeland, Rafael Devers, and Willy Adames were also fined from the benches clearing incident.
The scuffle began when Rafael Devers hit a long home run off of Kyle Freeland and watched it longer than Freeland liked. He also did a slight bat toss, but other than that, put his head down and started his jog.
Freeland began yelling at Devers for showing him up, and Devers stopped his jog to yell back. That’s what caused the benches to clear.
Both Freeland and Devers were fined for their actions. But neither of them were suspended.
But Giants third baseman Chapman was. He ran out onto the field from the dugout and pushed Freeland slightly, which is likely the action that the MLB is suspending him for.
Willy Adames was also fined, for reigniting the scuffle after it had mostly calmed down.
Adames, Chapman and Freeland were all also ejected from the rest of the game for sparking the fray. Devers was not.
Chapman Will Not Miss His Next Game
Chapman is appealing the suspension. So, he will not miss the Giants’ series finale against the Rockies on Wednesday September 3, 2025.
Chapman is penciled in the lineup batting fourth and playing third base.
The Giants are aiming to sweep the Rockies, which would also be their tenth win in their past 11 games.
It would be a massive win in the Giants’ quest to make the playoffs as well. They are currently 4.5 games behind the New York Mets for the third and final wild card spot after the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers earlier Wednesday. A win would put them only 4 games back.
The Giants then have an off day on Thursday September 4, 2025. So if Chapman’s suspension is upheld and he has to miss a game, it will likely be the Giants’ series-opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday September 5, 2025.
Has Chapman Ever Been Suspended or Ejected Before?
When he was a rookie with the Oakland Athletics in 2017, he got into an exchange with Los Angeles Angels catcher Juan Graterol that got him ejected.
Graterol had previously accused the Athletics of stealing signs. The two players exchanged words and would not stop despite home plate umpire Mike Everitt trying to break them up, and Chapman was ejected.
That was the first ejection of his MLB career. Heavy Sports did extensive research and could not find any other time he has been ejected since, until he got tossed Tuesday.
From the looks of Heavy’s research, this is also the first time he has ever been suspended.
Perhaps Chapman’s pattern of good behavior over his illustrious nine year career with the Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays and Giants will inspire the MLB to lift his suspension.
But also, in both instances, Chapman was ejected for defending his team. Which Giants fans have to love. After all, San Francisco has him as a leader of the clubhouse for at least the next five seasons.
What do you think, Giants fans? Is Matt Chapman’s suspension fair? Are you glad he defended Rafael Devers?
Surprise Player Punished Most Severely For San Francisco Giants And Colorado Rockies Scuffle