SEATTLE: Breaking: Cliff Lee suspended first 5 games

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Mariners’ pitcher Cliff Lee has been suspended for the opening five games of the regular season after throwing a controversial pitch at Diamondback’s catcher Chris Snyder earlier this week.

Lee was ejected in only the fourth inning from his start on Monday after throwing a ball inside on one pitch, followed by another sailing over Snyder’s head.

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The two were in a questionable tussle earlier in the game, in which both Lee and Snyder collided unintentionally. Lee was positioning himself to back up home plate for a potential throw, while Snyder was attempting to signal an oncoming runner. Neither of the two saw each other, but many believed that it was a stepping stone and an initiation for Lee to throw at Snyder in his next at-bat.

The former AL Cy Young winner has had troubles with his command all spring, and thus claims he had no intentions of striking the opponent with a pitch, nor any malicious attempts of the like.

Regardless, Major League Baseball has uprooted a 5-game opening suspension on Lee, in accordance with routine fine, which results in only one scheduled appearance for a starting pitcher.

Moving forward, the Mariners have options of utilizing the suspension to their benefit, either giving Lee the extra rest and substituting him for an alternate for one game, or position him as the no. 1 starter after the 5 games are served and pitching Felix Hernandez in succession.

Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com