Following pregame altercation, Tommy Pham sits from Reds game as MLB investigates

Tommy Pham was scratched from the Cincinnati Reds lineup before Friday’s game because of a pregame altercation with San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson.

During batting practice, Pham was at the center of an incident with Pederson. The Reds’ bullpen cleared into left field, where Pham was standing, and hitters ran from the batting cage to the outfield.

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham (28) reacts after taking a strike call in the first inning during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

The incident didn’t last longer than a couple of minutes and Reds manager David Bell remained in the outfield to chat with Pham after players returned to their usual pregame activities.

“MLB is investigating the incident that occurred before the game involving Mr. Pham,” the Reds announced. “Mr. Pham agreed to not play this evening pending the results of MLB’s investigation.”

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Pham declined to discuss the incident publicly when he walked off the field after batting practice. Pederson and Giants reliever Jarlín García, who was near the altercation and walked back to the dugout with a coach, declined to talk to Giants reporters afterward.

“We’re investigating it and learning as much as we can about the incident,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “I don’t really have much more than that for you right now. I sense we’ll have a clearer understanding after the game.”

May 27, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Joc Pederson (middle) stands at third base with San Francisco Giants third base coach Mark Hallberg (91) during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Pham played in each of the last 37 games, and he went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and three RBI in Thursday’s 20-5 win over the Chicago Cubs. He’s hitting .233 this season with five homers, 17 RBI and 26 runs in 42 games.

Pederson remained in the Giants’ lineup.

Pham and Pederson were division rivals in 2020 when Pham played for the San Diego Padres and Pederson played for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tommy Pham scratched from Reds lineup after incident with Joc Pederson