BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon has been fined $5,000 by Major League Baseball for slowing down a game, the right-handed closer said.
Papelbon told Friday’s Boston Herald he had incurred his seventh violation of the season during Tuesday’s 8-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays when he took too long to get to the mound.
“After this, I don’t know, man,” Papelbon said. “I think they’re going to call my parole officer and put me away.
“I don’t know why they keep coming after me. It’s probably because I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m not obeying the rules. You’re allowed 2:25 (two minutes 25 seconds) and I’m taking too long.”
In an effort to speed up the game, MLB implemented a new rule early last season requiring umpires to enforce the pace of hitters, pitchers and managers.
Papelbon, who picked up his 34th save of the season on Thursday when Boston beat Tampa Bay 6-3, estimated he had piled up MLB fines totaling more than $10,000.
“I know it’s a new rule and everything and they’re trying to enforce it,” he said. “I guess I’m just the one they decided to enforce it on. A rule’s a rule.”
The 28-year-old, a three-time All-Star, is one of only four pitchers to record 30 or more saves in each of his first three full seasons in the majors.
Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles
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