MLB notes: Washington National suspend closer Jonathan Papelbon for dugout fight

The Washington Nationals have suspended closer Jonathan Papelbon for four games without pay for his dugout fight with star slugger Bryce Harper, which will end the pitcher’s season.

General manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement Monday that Papelbon’s actions Sunday during a game against Philadelphia are “not acceptable.” Rizzo adds, they are “not at all in line with the way our players are expected to conduct themselves, and the Nationals organization will not tolerate it in any way.”

Papelbon also accepted a three-game suspension from Major League Baseball for throwing at Baltimore’s Manny Machado. The league suspension began Monday against Cincinnati. The suspension from the Nationals will begin Thursday and last the rest of the season.

“Will he be with us in 2016? He’s under contract,” Rizzo said about Papelbon. “We’re going to evaluate every moving part that we have after the season and we’ll make all those decisions once the final out is made.”

‘Tulo’ takes BP

Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki tested his injured shoulder by taking batting practice and expects to return in time for the postseason.

Tulowitzki hasn’t played since Sept. 12, when he cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back after colliding with teammate Kevin Pillar in a game against the Yankees.

Manager John Gibbons said ‘Tulo’ could return sometime this week.

Clearing the bases

Twins right-hander Phil Hughes was scratched from his start at Cleveland because of an illness. Twins manager Paul Molitor said a virus has affected the team in recent days, including Hughes, third baseman Trevor Plouffe and relievers Brian Duensing and Kevin Jepsen. … Two minor league baseball players have been suspended by MLB for 50 games without pay for drug violations. First baseman Austin Byler of the Diamondbacks organization and pitcher Michael Dimock of the Padres organization violated the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.