Report: Donaldson suspended 1 game, Musgrove not disciplined

Major League Baseball suspended Josh Donaldson for one game for his role in the benches-clearing incident between the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.

The third baseman has opted to appeal the suspension and will play Tuesday against the Pirates, according to O'Brien.

Donaldson was plunked by Pirates starter Joe Musgrove in the first inning of Monday's game. The former MVP quickly took exception and stared down Musgrove, leading to the benches clearing and the two players being ejected, along with Pittsburgh skipper Clint Hurdle.

Musgrove wasn't disciplined further, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

"We've had no beef in the past until now," Musgrove said following the game. "For him to act that way and I did nothing but stand my ground. I hit him with the pitch and he stared at me and tried to intimidate me and I'm not going to let that happen."

On Tuesday morning, Pirates brass contacted the league office to dispute Musgrove's ejection, stating the right-hander didn't start the brawl.

"This is not right," team president Frank Coonelly said. "A man has to be able to defend himself when he's getting bull-rushed by someone who started a staring contest, didn't like the fact that the pitcher stared back at him in response to his staring, then tosses aside teammates to get to him."

Following the game, home plate umpire Brian Gorman justified his ejection of Musgrove, stating the pitcher tossing his glove and hat while approaching Donaldson made him "an aggressor in a brawl."