Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon has dropped his appeal of a three-game suspension from the league and has been suspended four games by the team as well, effectively ending his 2015 season.

Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon has dropped his appeal of a three-game suspension from the league and has been suspended four games by the team as well, effectively ending his 2015 season. Papelbon was involved in a dugout altercation with outfielder Bryce Harper on Sunday, leaving his future with the team in doubt.

Papelbon was involved in a dugout altercation with teammate Bryce Harper during Sunday's loss to the Phillies, the Washington Post reports.

The incident overshadowed the result of what was ultimately a meaningless game after the Nationals were eliminated from playoff contention Saturday. Papelbon appeared to be displeased with Harper slowly jogging out an infield ground ball in the eighth inning, and he confronted Harper in the dugout following the at-bat. Shouting quickly escalated into a physical altercation, as Papelbon grabbed Harper's neck before the pair were rushed by teammates and separated. While Harper was removed from the game and replaced in the field for the final inning, Papelbon was on the mound in the ninth inning. He gave up a two-run home run to Andres Blanco and was charged with five of Philadelphia's eight runs in the final frame. Papelbon is currently appealing a three-game ban for hitting Baltimore's Manny Machado earlier in the week, and it remains to be seen whether he'll be disciplined internally following Sunday's dustup.

Papelbon was given a three-game suspension and a fine for hitting Manny Machado with a pitch, but will appeal the suspension, Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington reports.

The veteran closer maintained after the game the hit-by-pitch was unintentional and that he didn't agree with his ejection, so it makes sense he'll dispute the decision. Since he's appealing, the suspension won't go into effect Friday, but later in the season if it is upheld.

Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon will appeal the three-game suspension handed down by the league after he hit Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado with a pitch Wednesday, according to CSN Washington.

Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon will appeal the three-game suspension handed down by the league after he hit Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado with a pitch Wednesday, according to CSN Washington. Papelbon maintains that he did not intentionally throw at Machado, and as a result the closer will be available Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Papelbon gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to notch his 24th save of the season.

He'd been scored upon in four straight appearances and blown two straight saves coming into Saturday, so even if Papelbon wasn't overpowering, he'll take it. The Nats don't exactly have any other obvious candidates to close with Drew Storen (thumb) out of action, so it would probably take a complete meltdown for Papelbon to lose his spot as the closer.

Papelbon took a blown save, allowing one run (unearned) on one hit while striking out a pair in his inning of work.

Papelbon hadn't blown a save all year, and has now blown two in a row, albeit this one wasn't completely his fault. He allowed a double to Miguel Rojas who advanced to third on a throwing error by Bryce Harper, and would later score on a sacrifice fly making the run unearned. The Nationals came back to win the game in 10 innings, so no harm done, and Papelbon should be fine going forward.

Papelbon was unavailable Thursday due to an illness, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Papelbon wouldn't have been used anyway as the Nationals never had a save situation, but it's worth monitoring if he's needed for such a situation in the next couple days. If not, Casey Janssen would be the likely candidate to pitch the ninth inning in his place.

Papelbon picked up a win despite blowing a save Monday night, giving up one earned run while striking out a batter in an 8-7 win over the Phillies.

Papelbon labored through a 22 pitch inning against his former team, giving up a solo homer to light-hitting Freddy Galvis. The blown save was Papelbon's first of the season, as the veteran closer has otherwise been excellent with both the Phillies and Nationals.

Papelbon logged two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out one as he picked up a win in the Nationals' 5-2 victory over the Braves in 10 innings Friday night.

Papelbon (3-1, 1.68 ERA) has done a very solid job since coming over from the Phillies. He is 23-for-23 in save chances, and sports a nifty 1.68 ERA as the Nationals push for the playoffs.

Papelbon allowed two hits but escaped with his 23rd save in a 4-3 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Papelbon ended the game with runners on the corners, as a win never seems like an easy task for the Nationals right now. It's been an underrated season for the closer, as he has a 1.74 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 51.2 innings pitched. The most impressive part of his season is that he hasn't blown a save yet in his 23 opportunities.

Papelbon worked around a pair of hits to nail down his 22nd save of the season Sunday against the Marlins.

The veteran was staked to a three-run lead upon entering the game and was able to respond once the tying man came to the plate. Papelbon has totaled just five saves in his month as the Nationals' closer, but his 1.78 ERA and 0.94 WHIP indicate that he is still highly effective when called upon.

Papelbon earned his 19th save of the season on Tuesday night in a 5-4 win over Arizona.

Papelbon surrendered one unearned run on one hit in Tuesday's win to earn his second save in a Nationals uniform and his 19th on the season. He holds a 1.69 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP and will continue to be one of the top fantasy options in the closer role while playing for such a good team.

Papelbon collected his first save as a National on Thursday, striking out one in a perfect ninth against the Marlins.

Drew Storen pitched the eighth, as expected, and he and Papelbon should combine to form one of the majors' most fearsome one-two punches at the back of the bullpen. While Storen clearly wasn't happy over the demotion, Papelbon's ever-so-slightly better rate stats -- his WHIP is one point lower, his ERA nine points lower -- indicate that it's far from a crazy move for the Nationals to install their newest toy in the ninth inning.

Papelbon has officially joined the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

Papelbon will likely be available to pitch in a save situation if needed Wednesday, and is expected to take over that role for the remainder of the season. His move to the Nationals should pay dividends to both Papelbon and fantasy owners, as more save opportunities should present themselves in Washington than what he received in Philadelphia.

Papelbon's 2016 vesting option was converted to an $11 million guaranteed contract in exchange for consent to be traded to the Nationals, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Minor leaguer Nick Pivetta is headed to Philadelphia in exchange for Papelbon, who will relegate Drew Storen to the setup role upon his arrival to Washington. Papelbon could have made an additional $2 million next season with the vesting option, provided he finished 24 more games this year, but this takes some pressure off him and allows the Nats some flexibility late in games.

The Phillies have agreed to trade Papelbon to the Nationals, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.

While the trade has not been officially announced, it sounds like Papelbon will get his wish to pitch for a contender. Papelbon has said he would only accept a deal if he would continue to close, so expect Drew Storen to move to the setup role for Washington, with Ken Giles presumably taking over the ninth inning for Philadelphia assuming the deal goes through.

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to trade relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports.

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to trade relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports. The trade has not been made official, but it seems as if Papelbon is headed to Washington, where he will reportedly take over as the team's closer. Papelbon's contract includes a no-trade clause, so any deal will have to be approved by him, as well as the guarantee that he will serve as the closer wherever he lands, that his $13 million vesting option is exercised and that he winds up with a contender. Drew Storen is currently serving as the closer in Washington, but he would seemingly move back to a setup role once the deal is done. Despite the Phillies' struggles this season, Papelbon is 17-for-17 in save opportunities and has a 1.59 ERA, the second lowest of his career.

Papelbon will be traded by the Phillies, though it's not clear if a move will come before or after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, a source tells CSN Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury reports.

Papelbon's name has been bandied about in trade rumors for both of the past two seasons, and it sounds like the Phillies are finally ready to cut bait with their pricey closer once and for all. It will be difficult for the Phillies to get much of value in return for Papelbon due to his $13 million contract option for 2016, a high figure for any team to pay for a 35-year-old reliever. The unfavorable contract situation will likely allow the Phillies to pass him through waivers if a deal isn't consummated by July 31, after which they would still be able to negotiate a trade. Regardless of when the Papelbon trade happens, those in larger mixed leagues should look at picking up the hard-throwing Ken Giles on speculation.

Papelbon struck out one during a scoreless inning against the Cubs on Friday afternoon to record his 17th save of the season.

With the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline looming, the usual rumors about Papelbon getting shipped elsewhere will be floated about throughout the next week. If he's dealt, Ken Giles is the most likely candidate to replace him as the Phillies' closer for the final two months of the season.

Papelbon (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday against the Rays, working around a hit and a walk to pick up his second win of the year.

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, this victory might end up being Papelbon's last one in a Phillies uniform. For now, though, he's playing a significant part in cellar-dwelling Philadelphia's post-All-Star surge, as he's picked up this win as well as two saves while the team has gone 5-1 in the last six games.