Cubs handed suspensions for hitting Andrew McCutchen in heated Brewers series

After hitting Andrew McCutchen, Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson and manager David Ross were both suspended by MLB.

The heat in the Chicago Cubs-Milwaukee Brewers rivalry increased in their very first series of the 2022 season. It all started when Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch by the Brewers, who have frequently plunked him throughout his career. In the very next game, Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson plunked Brewers outfielder Andrew McCutchen, resulting in the benches clearing.

On Monday, MLB issued a three-game suspension to Thompson and a fine for hitting McCutchen with a pitch. Cubs manager David Ross received a one-game ban.

Ross is set to miss the Cubs’ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, April 12. It is unknown if Thompson will appeal his suspension.

Keegan Thompson, David Ross suspended for Andrew McCutchen incident

The game was filled with players getting hit by pitch. Five players were plunked in the game, including McCutchen, Contreras, Christian Yelich, Ian Happ and Nick Madrigal. Happ was struck in the left knee on a pitch by Trevor Gott, forcing him out of the game.

Contreras has a history when it comes to facing the Brewers. In his career, Contreras had been hit by a pitch 59 times in his career, 15 of them happened at the hands of a Milwaukee pitcher. Contreras had been hit four times each by the Brewers in 2020 and 2021. Now, just three games into this season, Contreras was plunked twice by Milwaukee.

Chicago and Milwaukee next play each other on Apr. 29 to begin their three-game series.