Major League Baseball announced its decision quickly on the expected suspensions of Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and San Francisco Giants reliever Hunter Strickland following a fight in Monday's game. Before Tuesday's action, MLB released a statement stating Harper would be suspended four games by MLB, while Strickland would receive a six-game ban.
Both players immediately exercised their rights to appeal the suspension, thus are available for tonight's game. Harper is in right field and batting in the third spot of the batting order as usual in the matchup against Jeff Samardzija. Even at AT&T Park, where Harper's numbers have taken somewhat of a hit in his career, he remains a stud fantasy option on a daily basis.
Both players should be in the lineup for the next few days as the appeals process can take a while for arguments to be heard and a judgment to be made. Fantasy owners can expect to have Harper in their fantasy lineup for the rest of the series against San Francisco.
While Strickland's suspension is two games longer than Harper, baseball's issues with suspensions does continue. Harper will ultimately miss more action than a relief pitcher who may be used once to three times over a six-game span. Both players could see their suspensions dropped by a game if they are successful in their appeals.