Nick Masset suspended for 3 games by MLB

Rockies reliever Nick Masset has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for hitting Braves catcher Evan Gattis with a pitch while warnings were in place during Colorado's 10-3 win over Atlanta last Thursday at Coors Field.

With two outs in the ninth inning, Masset fired a first-pitch fastball into the shoulder area of Gattis. The pitch was widely seen as retaliation for Braves reliever David Carpenter drilling Corey Dickerson in the backside with a pitch in the previous inning, particularly because video showed Masset high-fiving teammates upon returning to the dugout.

Dickerson hit Atlanta catcher Gerald Laird in the mask while following through on a swing resulting in a foul ball, knocking the backstop out of the game. He took exception to being thrown at by Carpenter, and Rockies manager Walt Weiss wound up being ejected while seemingly trying to get after Carpenter and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Carpenter, Masset, Weiss and Tom Runnells were all ejected from the game. Carpenter also received an undisclosed fine for his role in the incidents.

The Rockies will be forced to operate with a 24-man roster while Masset is out, and he is expected to begin serving his suspension beginning on Tuesday, according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.