Yanks’ Sabathia banned 5 games for hitting batter, appeals

BOSTON (AP) — Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia has been suspended five games for hitting a Tampa Bay batter, a penalty that was set to take effect at the start of next season.
Sabathia has appealed the ban that was issued Saturday by Major League Baseball. Any penalty will apply in 2019.
The Yankees will host Oakland in the AL wild-card game on Wednesday.
Sabathia was penalized for hitting Rays catcher Jesus Sucre in the leg leading off the bottom of the sixth inning at Tropicana Field on Thurs