Cleveland Indians pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was suspended for 5 games and fined by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki in a spring training game. NFL lines

Jimenez will serve his suspension during the 1st five games of the season unless he asks the players’ organization to appeal the decision by MLB senior vice president Joe Garagiola Jr.

Indians executive Manny Acta anticipates an appeal. NFL betting lines

“He’s starting the 2nd game of the season,” Acta said. “It’s disappointing, but I am not amazed.”

Before the punishment was published, Jimenez stated that he was not going to apologize to Tulowitzki after hitting his former Rockies teammate on the left elbow.

Jimenez did not feel he should be postponed for drilling the star shortstop and expounded his 1st concern is being prepared for the season.

“Players are hit by pitches every day,” Jimenez asserted. “With a guy like him, you’ve got to go inside. I cannot get the ball to go where I desire every time.”

Jimenez recounted he would not reach out to Tulowitzki. Earlier this spring, Jimenez disclosed he was sad in Colorado before being traded to Cleveland last July. Tulowitzki later was quoted as asserting the former All-Star should get over it.

“He was calling me names,” Jimenez recounted. “I already said I had no wish to hit him. I had 5 walks. It’s not the 1st time somebody (was) hit.”

Both benches empty, but no punches were thrown. Tulowitzki went to a hospital for X-rays, which were negative.

“He walked 5 guys. Where do you put the cutoff point? Last year, we had fellows hit. No suspensions,” Acta asserted. “I think it is time everyone stops counting on what guys write in the paper. It is too harmful they get influenced by the press.”

Rockies manager Jim Tracy named it the most cowardly act he had seen in 35 years in the game and called for a suspension.

“I can’t handle what people say,” Jimenez related. “Yes, I was shocked he claimed that. But that’s OK.”

Commissioner Bud Selig attended the game.

“Guys don’t play distinct if the Commissioner is at the game,” Acta announced.

“The majority of the players did not even notice he was there.”

Two years back, Jimenez was 15-1 for the Rockies at the All-Star break and was the National League starter for the Midsummer Classic. He has gone 14-20 since. He was not sharp this spring, going 1-4 with a 7.43 ERA. In 7 Cactus League starts, he had as many walks as strikeouts, 15, and permitted 30 hits in 23 innings.

After an awful outing against Cincinnati on March 17, Acta asserted, “It’s time to get it in gear,” regarding Jimenez, whose velocity was behind.

Jimenez’s fastball was clocked at 95 mph in his next start against San Diego, but his overall performance hasn’t approached what the Indians predicted when they traded 4 minor league players, including 2 first-round draft picks, for the 28-year-old right-hander.

“I feel good. I’m prepared to pitch,” Jimenez asserted. “Hopefully, I can get off to a great start.”