Players banned for five games

Boston’s Kevin Youkilis and Detroit pitcher Rick Porcello were suspended for five games each Wednesday and fined by Major League Baseball, a day after their brawl at Fenway Park.

Youkilis will begin his suspension during Wednesday night’s game against Detroit. Porcello appealed, and no penalty will take effect until the process is complete.

MLB Vice President Bob Watson cited Youkilis for charging the mound, throwing his helmet at Porcello and inciting Tuesday night’s bench-clearing tussle. Watson penalized Porcello for intentionally throwing pitches at Victor Martinez in the first inning and Youkilis in the second.

In addition, Detroit pitcher Edwin Jackson was fined for what Watson said were aggressive actions.

Players from both benches and bullpens went onto the field and Youkilis tackled Porcello but no punches were thrown. Youkilis and Porcello were ejected.

Tempers had been escalating since Monday night, when Miguel Cabrera was hit in the top of the fourth, Youkilis was plunked in the bottom half and Detroit’s Brandon Inge was hit in the eighth.

Etc.

The Milwaukee Brewers sent former All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy to the minors, cut third baseman Bill Hall and fired pitching coach Bill Castro. Hardy has been mired in a season-long slump, batting .229 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs. The Brewers will eat about $11 million in salary to Hall. . . . Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard is going to have another surgery on his throwing shoulder, all but ending his season and perhaps his time with Seattle. . . . Jordan Zimmermann will have reconstructive elbow surgery next week, leaving the Washington Nationals without their top pitching prospect for at least a year.