Lawrie handed four-game ban

TORONTO — Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays has been suspended for four games by Major League Baseball after he threw his batting helmet and it bounced off an umpire.

The penalty was imposed Wednesday and included an undisclosed fine.

Lawrie is appealing and can playing until there is a decision. He was in the starting lineup Wednesday night against the Yankees.

The third baseman was ejected by plate umpire Bill Miller after arguing a called third strike in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

Lawrie slammed his helmet near Miller's feet and it ricocheted up and hit the umpire in the right hip.

Toronto manager John Farrell says Lawrie hopes to apologize to Miller. The same umpire crew was set to work the game.

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