Major League Baseball has suspended Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli and Boston Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras for seven games each following a mid-game altercation. The suspensions, announced Thursday, also include undisclosed fines for both players, who were determined to have played significant roles in escalating the confrontation.
The incident occurred during the fourth inning of Wednesday's game at Fenway Park. Cavalli struck out Contreras looking, and as Contreras walked away from the plate, Cavalli reportedly said, "Sit down, boy." This remark prompted Contreras to turn back toward the mound, leading to a heated exchange that emptied both teams' benches and bullpens.
Contreras then threw his helmet in Cavalli's direction before players and coaches intervened to separate the teams. While Cavalli remained in the game, Contreras, along with Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas and Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton, were ejected. Boston interim manager Chad Tracy was also ejected.
Following the incident, Cavalli issued a public apology, stating he did not intend his comment as a racial insult. He acknowledged the word's historical context and expressed regret for its perception. "I'm extremely torn up about the way that things were perceived," Cavalli said. "Obviously, there was no ill intention behind that. It hurt my heart, knowing that, if there's a 13-year-old Black kid in D.C. that sees that — that looked up to me and thinks that he perceived it in a way that wasn't intended the way that it came out, and then he's not looking up to me anymore. That hurts my heart."
MLB also suspended Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas for five games and Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton for three games. Both Cavalli and Contreras have the right to appeal their suspensions.
In addition to Cavalli and Contreras, Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas received a five-game suspension, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton was suspended for three games. All four players are permitted to appeal their suspensions. The league determined that all parties played major roles in escalating the confrontation.
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox is held back after an altercation against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Cade Cavalli #24 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
