Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson won his appeal with Major League Baseball and won’t have to serve a one-game suspension for his part in a benches-clearing incident with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the AJC confirmed Friday.

Donaldson’s fine for the incident reportedly was also reduced. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report Donaldson’s successful appeal.

Donaldson was suspended for a confrontation with Pirates starter Joe Musgrove and catcher Elias Diaz on June 10 at SunTrust Park.

Donaldson was hit by Musgrove’s pitch and the two exhanged words. Diaz stepped in and was shoved by Donaldson.

Donaldson and Musgrove were ejected from the game.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Braves chairman Terry McGuirk — pictured watching batting practice before a July 2023 game — said Wednesday of the team's 2026 player payroll plans: “I think I’ve stated in the past that our goals are to be a top-five salary team. … I think we are capable of doing that." (John Bazemore/AP 2023)

Credit: AP

Featured

Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC