Kyle Farnsworth said he’d appeal his expected suspension when the decision comes down later this week.
The reliever likely is to get no less than a three-game penalty for his part in Thursday’s fight with Cincinnati pitcher Paul Wilson.
“It’s not a situation where I’m going to be trying to hit someone, especially a pitcher when we’re losing 2-1,” Farnsworth said.
The Cubs will defend Farnsworth in his hearing, just as President Andy MacPhail defended Sammy Sosa during his appeal of an eight-game suspension. But will the blood on Wilson’s face hurt Farnsworth’s defense?
“It’s not my fault,” Farnsworth said. “I’m not going to stand there and let someone come at me. I had to do what I had to do to protect my own self.”
Farnsworth has been kidded about the incident since it happened. “It’s been crazy,” he said. “Everyone’s asking me when I’m going to start playing for the Bears.”
