Rays' Kiermaier 'very happy' Blue Jays received suspensions: 'They deserve it'

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is satisfied with how Major League Baseball handled an issue involving him and the Toronto Blue Jays, resulting in the league suspending left-hander Ryan Borucki and manager Charlie Montoyo after a pitched ball struck Kiermaier during a game on Wednesday.

"I'm happy, very happy about that," Kiermaier said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. "They deserve it. That's all I'll say. I've moved on from that. It is what it is. They have to live with that."

Borucki was suspended three games - later reduced to two - and Montoyo was banned one game after the pitcher drilled Kiermaier with a 93-mph pitch to the back, causing the benches to clear.

The plunking appeared to be retaliation for Kiermaier picking up one of Toronto's scouting report cards at home plate after catcher Alejandro Kirk dropped it during a game on Monday.

"I wanted to go down and away, as I was coming forward I felt the ball slip out of my hand and I missed up and in, and I accidentally hit him," Borucki said on Friday, according to The Associated Press. "They can think what they want over there in their locker room, but it is what it is."