Message #101488

[NatsAddict]

Marlins suspend Olsen for two days after scuffle
By JOE CAPOZZI
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 16, 2007

UPDATED: 5:51 p.m. July 16, 2007

MIAMI GARDENS — Marlins pitcher Scott Olsen was suspended Monday for two days without pay for insubordination and conduct detrimental to the team after a scuffle with teammate Sergio Mitre.

"He will be here Wednesday and if you want to talk to him further that's fine, but I'm not going to say anything else,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Olsen did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone this afternoon by The Palm Beach Post.

The suspension stems from an incident in the tunnel behind the Marlins dugout at Dolphin Stadium after Olsen came out of Sunday's game, sources said.

Olsen, the sources said, exchanged words with Mitre, another starter, who had approached the left-hander to console him after a rocky outing. The pitchers scuffled, a source said.

Olsen (7-7) went five inings and earned the win Sunday but walked five.

Olsen has demonstrated a short temper in the past.

Last year, he clashed in seperate incidents with then-manager Joe Girardi, third baseman Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Randy Messenger, who gave Olsen a black eye during an off-field incident. Olsen earlier this year acknowledged his temper, saying it is something he needs to improve.

The suspension will cost Olsen $4,153 of his $380,000 salary. Gonzalez said Olsen would still be able to make his next scheduled start, Friday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

Palm Beach Post