Suspensions Handed Down for Brawl

Paul O’Neill and Jeff Nelson of the New York Yankees and Seattle catcher John Marzano were suspended for two games by American League president Gene Budig for their roles in a brawl last week.

Budig also fined O’Neill and Nelson $1,000 and fined Yankee outfielder Darryl Strawberry and Mariner pitcher Bobby Ayala $500.

Marzano and Nelson both decided not to appeal and their suspensions began Tuesday night. O’Neill’s suspension is not scheduled to begin until Friday.

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Royal closer Jeff Montgomery will undergo season-ending surgery on his pitching shoulder today, the team said. Montgomery, 34, is 4-6 with a 4.26 ERA and 24 saves. . . . The Florida Marlins acquired pitcher Rick Helling from the Rangers to complete the trade that sent pitcher John Burkett to Texas. Helling compiled a 12-4 record with triple-A Oklahoma City, including the first perfect game for the 89ers. . . . Pitcher Mike Morgan, released by the St. Louis Cardinals, cleared waivers and signed with the Cincinnati Reds. . . . Pitcher Calvin Maduro was acquired by the Phillies from Baltimore and is set to become the first native of Aruba to play in the majors.