By Justin Worsley
Major League Baseball's vice president of discipline Bob Watson has delayed the much anticipated debut of pitcher Cliff Lee for the Mariners.
Lee, who was acquired in the off-season from Philadelphia in a four team, nine player trade, was suspended five games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing two pitches at Diamonbacks catcher Chris Snyder. The first pitch was inside, the second aimed just above Snyder's helmet.
Lee is expected to appeal, if he does not he will miss the Mariners first game of the season on Apr. 5 against Oakland.
Bad blood developed between Lee and Snyder in the first inning, where the two players collided during a play at home plate. Lee immediately received an ejection following his second pitch at Snyder in the third inning, sparking both bleachers to clear out as Snyder charged towards the pitcher's mound. A fight did not occur.
"I was trying to go inside and a couple got away from me and the guy hitting got mad and came close to the mound and I got thrown out in the process," Lee told the Associated Press.
Lee won the AL Cy Young award in 2008 while he was with the Cleveland Indians. The left-handed thrower has a career record of 90-52 in eight seasons as well as a 3.97 ERA.
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