George Kontos Receives Three Game Suspension, Optioned to Triple-A

George Kontos received a three game suspension and a trip to the minors for his 28th birthday on Wednesday. Neither gift can be returned. (Image Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Talk about having a rough afternoon. Right-hander George Kontos received a pair of disappointing pieces of news on Wednesday. The San Francisco Giants optioned Kontos down to Triple-A Fresno, likely a result of the struggles he’s had on the mound for much of the season. Major League Baseball also announced that he’d been suspended for three games for intentionally throwing at Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Wednesday also happened to be Kontos’ 28th birthday. This likely wasn’t how he hoped to celebrate.

Kontos has made 31 appearances out to the Giants’ bullpen on the year, going 2-1 with a 5.76 ERA in 29.2 IP. He’s allowed 32 hits (9.7 H/9), 4 home runs (1.2 HR/9), and has a 1.449 WHIP. The performance overall is a far cry from the production that the team was able to get from him just a season ago – when he posted a 2.47 ERA and 1.053 WHIP over 43.2 IP. He’ll head down to Fresno with the goal of simply finding himself once again in an effort to regain his confidence. The Giants’ bullpen hasn’t been a significant issue on the season, but they could use the Kontos of 2012 if he’s able to return to form.

As for the suspension, Kontos will serve that once he returns to the Major Leagues, barring an appeal. Tuesday’s game with the Pirates was a contentious one. Four batters had been hit by pitches in the game, prompting a warning to be issued to both benches. Kontos plunked McCutchen in the 8th inning and was subsequently ejected. Manager Bruce Bochy also received a one game suspension, as the league determined that Kontos had thrown at McCutchen intentionally.

Sandy Rosario was recalled to take Kontos’ place on the roster. He’s posted a 2.78 ERA and 1.237 WHIP in 32.1 IP at Triple-A on the year.