Dodgers coach Larry Bowa suspended for tirade

Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa was handed a three-game suspension and fined an undisclosed amount by the commissioner’s office today for his on-the-field tirade Tuesday night in the sixth inning of his team’s 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Bowa will start serving his suspension tonight in the Dodgers’ series finale against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

Bowa was thrown out of the game for arguing with third base umpire Ed Montague, who, to Bowa’s displeasure, enforced Major League Baseball’s new rule that forces base coaches to remain in their designated boxes until batted balls pass them. Bowa, who had to be restrained by Manager Joe Torre and bench coach Bob Schaefer, was determined to have made contact with Montague multiple times. The contact, said a spokesperson for the commissioner’s office, factored into the length of the suspension and amount of the fine.

The commissioner’s office was aware of Bowa’s postgame comments – “The people in New York have no idea what they’re doing,” he told The Times – but that didn’t affect the severity of the punishment.

Bowa argued that he had worked outside of the coach’s box in spring training and on opening day, but was never told anything. The commissioner’s office said that its staff communicated the new rules in writing and in person to the front offices and field staffs of every club.

The incident was reviewed today by Bob Watson, MLB’s vice president of on-field operations.

Bowa also spoke out against the other new rule affecting base coaches, which forces them to wear helmets on the field. After the Dodgers’ first spring training game, Bowa threatened to wear shinguards, a chest protector and a mask onto the field to mock the rule.

——

As expected, third baseman Wes Helms was designated for assignment today by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers have so far shied away from Helms in part because of the $2.9 million he is guaranteed, but if the Phillies release him in 10 days, the Dodgers would be able to sign him for the league minimum of $390,000.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com