Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Reds' Tommy Pham suspended three games for slapping Joc Pederson over fantasy football

By Adam Stites | Last updated May 28, 2022 2:43 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tommy Pham revealed to reporters Saturday that he's been suspended three games by MLB for slapping San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson during batting practice Friday.

Pederson, 30, explained to reporters Friday night that fantasy football was at the center of the dispute and said Pham accused him of cheating by stashing a player on injured reserve. Pham seemingly confirmed that when he explained his actions Saturday, adding that Pederson's disrespectful comments about the San Diego Padres added fuel to the fire.

Tommy Pham says he has been suspended for 3 games. “I slapped Joc. He said some shit I don’t condone. I had to address it.”

Pham says Joc made “disrespectful” comments about his former team, the Padres, in the league’s group chat.
— Evan Webeck (@EvanWebeck) May 28, 2022

Pham said there was “too much money on the line” and “he was messing with my money”

“I’m a big dog in Vegas. I’m a high roller at many casinos.” https://t.co/atfAOnj6Th
— Evan Webeck (@EvanWebeck) May 28, 2022

Pham, 34, spent the last two seasons with the Padres before signing with the Reds in March. He's batting .233 this season with five home runs and 17 RBIs.

Pham began his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals before he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 and traded again to the Padres in 2019. Pederson is in his first season with the Giants after he was part of the World Series-winning Atlanta Braves in 2021.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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