MLB Suspends Pittsburgh Pirates Player and Manager After On-Field Incident

May 5, 2026, 22:23
USSports

Introduction

Major League Baseball has suspended pitcher Chris Devenski and manager Don Kelly after Devenski intentionally threw a pitch at Cincinnati Reds player Sal Stewart.

Main Body

The punishments follow an event during the seventh inning of a game at PNC Park on Saturday, May 2. The umpires decided that Chris Devenski deliberately aimed his pitch at Sal Stewart, which led to Devenski being removed from the game immediately. Although the ball did not actually hit Stewart, the league reviewed the video and confirmed that the pitcher intended to hit the batter. This is only the second time this season that the league has taken such action, following a similar fight in April between the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves. There are different opinions about what happened. Sal Stewart stated that the action was very obvious and said he was glad the officials protected his safety. On the other hand, Devenski claimed that he did not want to hit the batter; instead, he argued that he wanted to make Stewart feel uncomfortable because of how he was standing over the plate. Despite this explanation, the league insisted that the pitch was intentional. These penalties are particularly difficult for the Pirates because they are currently four games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. As a result, Devenski has been given a three-game suspension and a fine, while manager Don Kelly received a one-game suspension and a fine. These penalties will start on May 5 during a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, unless the player decides to officially appeal the decision.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to play with fewer players during their series in Arizona while Devenski and Kelly serve their suspensions.

Learning

⚡ The 'Nuance Shift': Moving from Basic to Complex Ideas

At the A2 level, you describe things simply: "He hit the ball. He is sad." To reach B2, you need to describe intent and contradiction. This article is a goldmine for this transition.

🌓 The Power of 'Contrast' Markers

Look at how the text connects opposing ideas. A2 students use "but" for everything. B2 students use a variety of tools to show a sophisticated conflict:

  • "On the other hand..." →\rightarrow Used to introduce a completely different perspective. (Devenski's side vs. Stewart's side).
  • "Despite [this explanation]..." →\rightarrow This is a 'power move.' It means even though X happened, Y still happened.
  • "Instead..." →\rightarrow Used to replace one idea with another. Not just "not this," but "this instead."

🛠ī¸ Precision Vocabulary: Beyond 'Want'

Notice how the text avoids saying "He wanted to hit him" repeatedly. It uses Intentionality Verbs:

A2 WordB2 Upgrade from TextWhy it's better
Wanted toIntended toSounds professional and official.
Did it on purposeDeliberatelyDescribes the manner of the action.
SaidClaimed / ArguedSuggests the person might be lying or defending themselves.
InsistedConfirmedShows that the decision is final and based on evidence.

🎓 The B2 Grammar Secret: The Passive Voice for Authority

Check this sentence: "Devenski has been given a three-game suspension."

Why not say "The league gave him a suspension"? Because in B2 English, when the action (the suspension) is more important than the person doing it (the league), we use the passive. It makes the writing feel like a real news report rather than a story about friends.

Vocabulary Learning

suspension
a period of time during which a person is forbidden from performing a particular activity.
Example:The player received a suspension for three games.
intentionally
done on purpose, not by accident.
Example:She intentionally left the door open.
deliberately
done with careful thought or purpose.
Example:He deliberately ignored the warning.
removed
taken away or eliminated from a place.
Example:The manager was removed from the game.
reviewed
examined or studied carefully.
Example:The committee reviewed the report.
confirmed
verified or established as true.
Example:The evidence confirmed the theory.
obvious
easily seen or understood; clear.
Example:It was obvious that she was upset.
protected
kept safe from harm or danger.
Example:The law protects workers' rights.
safety
the condition of being free from danger.
Example:Safety is important at work.
opinion
a personal view or judgment.
Example:In my opinion, this is unfair.
claim
to state something as true, often without proof.
Example:He claimed he had never seen the document.
argued
presented reasons to support or oppose something.
Example:She argued that the policy was unjust.
uncomfortable
not feeling at ease or relaxed.
Example:He felt uncomfortable in the new room.
insisted
demanded firmly, refusing to give up.
Example:She insisted on paying for dinner.
penalties
punishments imposed for breaking rules.
Example:The team faced penalties for misconduct.
particularly
especially or notably.
Example:It was particularly cold that day.
difficult
hard to do or understand.
Example:The math problem was difficult.
appeal
to request a reconsideration of a decision.
Example:He will appeal the ruling.
decision
a choice made after considering options.
Example:The decision was final.
serve
to perform a duty or function.
Example:He will serve his suspension.
officially
in an official capacity or through formal procedures.
Example:The announcement was made officially.
four games behind
having a deficit of four games compared to another team.
Example:They were four games behind the leaders.