Cade Cavalli, Willson Contreras hit with seven-game suspensions after benches-clearing brawl

· New York Post

Punishments are coming for Willson Contreras and Cade Cavalli. 

Both the Red Sox slugger and Nationals pitcher will face seven-game suspensions for their actions during the benches-clearing incident during Washington’s 10-2 win over Boston earlier this week, the MLB announced Thursday.

Additionally, both players will receive an undisclosed fine as part of their discipline. 

Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras (40) is held back as tempers flare during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

In the bottom of the fourth inning during Tuesday’s game, Cavalli struck out Contreras on a 3-2 sweeper for what looked to be a routine strikeout. 

But it escalated into much more as Cavalli shouted, “Sit down, boy!” to the Red Sox first baseman, prompting Contreras to retaliate and say, “Are you talking to me?”

Contreras eventually moved toward Cavalli, leading to both benches exiting the dugout. 

Contreras tried to throw his helmet at Cavalli in the mix of players pushing and shoving each other around. Numerous teammates pulled Contreras back before the fight eventually settled down. 

Washington Nationals’ Cade Cavalli, front right, is held back as tempers flare during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

While Cavalli wasn’t ejected, Contreras, along with Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton, Washington right-hander Miles Mikolas and Boston interim manager Chad Tracy, were tossed.

Mikolas was suspended five games and Eaton was suspended for three. 

On Wednesday, Cavalli apologized for using the word “boy,” which has a racially charged history in the United States. 

“I’m extremely torn up about the way that things were perceived,” Cavalli told reporters Wednesday. “Obviously, there was no ill intention behind that. My teammates know me, my family knows me, this organization knows me. I couldn’t sleep because of it.” 

Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox is held back after an altercation against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. Getty Images

Contreras also chimed in on the incident.

“He struck me out on a good pitch, I was walking back to the dugout, and then he did what he did,” Contreras told reporters after the game. “He was like, instigating and I snapped.”

After being thrown Monday and Tuesday, Contreras became the first Red Sox player in history to be ejected in two straight games, according to The Associated Press.

Contreras was ejected Monday night for tapping his helmet to challenge a call that wasn’t challengeable.