Philadelphia Phillies news: Hector Neris suspended for 3 games, Jay Bruce placed on injured list

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing a pitch in the area of the head of David Freese of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Joe Torre, Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball, announced the suspension and fine Wednesday, a day after the incident in the ninth inning of the Phillies' 9-8 home victory. Neris is appealing the suspension, making him eligible to pitch Wednesday night against Los Angeles.

Neris was ejected after hitting Freese in the back with the next pitch after Matt Beaty hit a two-run homer.

Neris (2-4) has converted 17 of 21 save opportunities.

Bruce placed on 10-day IL with strained oblique

The Phillies placed outfielder Jay Bruce on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique on Wednesday and recalled outfielder Nick Williams from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Bruce was injured on a checked swing in the third inning of the Phillies' 9-8 comeback win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

He is batting .256 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 33 games with the Phillies since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners on June 2.

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said the club will miss Bruce's bat and his intangibles.

"You lose a veteran presence who understands how to approach most pitchers and has a lot of experience against many of them," Kapler said. "He gives you a high quality veteran at-bat. That profile, along with his production, is difficult to replace."

Williams is batting seventh and starting in left field for Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers. He is hitting .173 with a homer and four RBIs in 50 games with Philadelphia this season.