Nats reliever López (3 games), manager Martinez (1 game) suspended, fined

PITTSBURGH -- Manager Dave Martinez and reliever Jorge López received suspensions following Wednesday’s game against the Pirates, in which benches cleared.

Prior to Thursday's 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh at PNC Park, López received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for “intentionally throwing at Andrew McCutchen.” López elected to appeal the suspension.

Martinez was suspended for one game and an undisclosed fine “as a result of López’s actions.” He served his suspension on Thursday.

Bench coach Miguel Cairo took over acting managerial duties for the series finale at PNC Park.

López was ejected in the seventh inning on Wednesday after throwing a ball up and in at McCutchen, who hit the ground to avoid the ball near his head.

“I apologize for everything,” López said following his ejection. “I didn’t make any pitch [on purpose] right there. … I tried to do my adjustment. I’ve been trying to find my way with my delivery, I tried to find my way through the whole season. And it's really miserable that happened. I regret what just happened.”

López hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch one batter earlier from the opposite side of the plate.

On Tuesday, Paul DeJong was hit in the face by a fastball from Mitch Keller. DeJong suffered a fractured nose.

Martinez, who was not ejected, said after the game, "I don't necessarily think it was warranted, but the umpires saw it differently, so they ejected Jorge. Unfortunately, it was a good game up to that point, and things got out of hand."

Cairo previously managed 34 games for the White Sox in 2022. When asked following Thursday's loss about his approach to stepping in, Cairo said, “I’ve got to be myself. Today, we didn’t have that little luck that we needed. But Davey, we talked before the game, and we’ve got a really good coaching staff.”

Martinez will be back at the helm on Friday when the Nationals begin their road series at Colorado.