Major League Baseball

Dodgers' Olivo released after ear-biting incident in dugout

Published May. 21, 2014 8:38 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

*Update: The Dodgers released catcher Miguel Olivo from their roster on Thursday.

NEW YORK -- Miguel Olivo was suspended by the Los Angeles Dodgers' top farm team Wednesday following his fight in the dugout with Triple-A Albuquerque teammate Alex Guerrero.

In a statement released Wednesday night, the Dodgers said Olivo was placed on the suspended list by the Albuquerque Isotopes. The veteran catcher is on the Dodgers' 40-man roster, and the club said he ''will remain suspended pending the completion of an investigation'' into the brawl during Tuesday's game at Salt Lake.

The Dodgers confirmed Guerrero is recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left ear and will remain in a Salt Lake City, Utah, hospital for a couple of days. It's unclear how long he will be sidelined.

Several media outlets reported that Guerrero's agent, Scott Boras, said Olivo bit off part of Guerrero's ear.

Guerrero, an infielder from Cuba, signed a $28 million, four-year deal with the Dodgers in October. He was beaten out for the starting second base job by Dee Gordon in spring training.

Olivo has displayed a hot temper on the field before, charging at Jose Reyes and missing with a wild punch during a dustup between the Marlins and Mets late in the 2007 season.

The 35-year-old catcher appeared in eight games for the Dodgers this month, marking his 13th season in the majors.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported the fight happened in the dugout during the eighth inning of Albuquerque's 7-4 loss to Salt Lake, briefly delaying the game, and both players were removed from the lineup soon afterward.

The Los Angeles Times reported the disagreement began with Olivo getting upset that Guerrero failed to tag out a runner after a throw from Olivo, according to Boras.

The 27-year-old Guerrero is hitting .376 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI in the Pacific Coast League. He was playing second base at Albuquerque, but the club recently started putting him at shortstop to develop some versatility.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball