A’s DH Billy Butler put on seven-day concussion DL after clubhouse altercation
Oakland Athletics designated hitter Billy Butler was injured in a clubhouse altercation with Oakland teammate Danny Valencia and has been put on the seven-day concussion disabled list, the team announced.
Butler suffered a concussion in the fight after being hit in the temple by Valencia.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the two players were at odds over the fact that Butler told an equipment rep that Valencia had not been wearing the cleats he was contractually obligated to wear. Valencia then punched Butler in the face.
"We're moving past it. That's it," A's general manager David Forst said. "I wasn't there, Billy [Beane] wasn't there, the manager didn't see it. I'm not getting into he said-he said recounting what happened, so from the organization standpoint, it's resolved and we're moving past it."
Forst said both players will be disciplined and fined but not suspended.
Butler missed Saturday and Sunday’s games against the White Sox as a result of the incident, the newspaper reports. Manager Bob Melvin said that Butler was dealing with nausea and vomiting.
Valencia and Butler, who were also teammates with the Royals, “are known to engage in a great deal of loud banter in the clubhouse and on the field,” the newspaper said.
Valencia declined to comment for the story.
Valencia, the team’s starting third baseman, is batting a team-leading .301 with 15 home runs. Butler is hitting .286 with four home runs and 16 doubles. The A’s are only one-half game ahead of the last-place Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.
