MLB suspends Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson for 'inappropriate comments' toward Black player

By Kevin Dotson, CNN

Updated 2331 GMT (0731 HKT) May 23, 2022

Tim Anderson is restrained by teammate José Abreu during Saturday's game in New York.

(CNN)Major League Baseball has issued a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine to New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson for what the league calls «inappropriate comments» to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson during Saturday's game.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said after the game that Donaldson had «made a racist comment.»Anderson, who is Black, told reporters Saturday that Donaldson, who is White, called him «Jackie» (Robinson) in a disrespectful way multiple times during the game.«He was trying to call me Jackie Robinson, like 'What's up, Jackie?'» Anderson said after Saturday's game. «I don't play like that. I wasn't really bothering nobody today, but he made the comment and it was disrespectful. I don't think it was called for. It was unnecessary.»In the fifth inning of Saturday's game, both teams' benches cleared after a verbal confrontation between Donaldson and White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal at home plate. Donaldson appeared to point to Anderson, who was playing in the field, and both benches cleared. Anderson had to be restrained by teammates. Both teams were issued warnings but no one was ejected.Read MoreWhite Sox manager says Yankees' Josh Donaldson called Tim Anderson a racist commentIn a locker room interview, Donaldson admitted he called Anderson «Jackie» during the game, but denied any racist intentions.«We are not trying to start any brawls or anything like that,» Donaldson told reporters after the game. «Obviously, he deemed it was disrespectful and look, if he did, I apologize because that's not what I was trying to do by any