Oakland, CA (AP) – Oakland A’s designated hitter Billy Butler suffered a concussion in a fight with teammate Danny Valencia on Friday after the third baseman punched him in the temple, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.
While details of the fight have not been revealed publicly. From multiple sources who were present, it began before batting practice over what Butler apparently said to Valencia while an equipment representative was in the clubhouse.
According to the Chronicle, Butler had interrupted Valencia’s conversation with the equipment rep to say Valencia regularly uses spikes that are in breach of his contract, adding that the rep’s company should terminate Valencia’s endorsement deal.
Valencia punched Butler in the head before the brief fight that followed was broken up, the Chronicle reported.
Butler and Valencia have been fined an undisclosed amount by the team, and Butler was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list Monday. Butler missed Oakland’s games Saturday and Sunday with what manager Bob Melvin said was nausea and vomiting.
