Suspension possible for Victorino; Mathieson cut

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SAN FRANCISCOBased on recent history, there is a pretty good chance that Major League Baseball will hand down suspensions in the wake Friday nights melee between the Phillies and San Francisco Giants.

MLB reviews the umpires report and video tape from every on-field incident that results in an ejection. It is likely that MLB officials have already seen video of the incident. Officials are likely to investigate the matter more closely on Monday and Joe Garagiola Jr., MLBs senior vice president of standards and on-field operations, could hand down suspensions shortly thereafter.

Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, Giants pitcher Ramon Ramirez and Giants catcher Eli Whiteside were all ejected from the game after Ramirez hit Victorino with a pitch in the sixth inning. After the plunking, Victorino started toward the mound and Ramirez toward the plate as both benches emptied.

Victorino exhibited some aggressive behavior as he tried to free himself from the grasp of home-plate umpire Mike Muchlinski. This could get Victorino in some trouble as MLB has come down hard on players who have exhibited aggressive behavior toward umpires. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina received a five-game suspension last week for actions directed at umpire Rob Drake. Victorino was not as aggressive and his actions were not directed at the umpire, but they most certainly will come under review. It would not be surprising to see him receive a three-game suspension. Several Giants players could be suspended, as well.

Players can appeal suspensions.

Victorino was in the Phillies lineup Saturday afternoon. He played centerfield and batted second.

Madson Active, Mathieson Designated

The Phillies reinstated reliever Ryan Madson from paternity leave and designated reliever Scott Mathieson for assignment. The Phillies have 10 days to dispose of Mathiesons contract and he could end up back in the system if he clears waivers. In June 2010, Mathieson was designated for assignment and remained with the organization after clearing waivers. There seems to be some confidence in the organization that this could happen again.The Mathieson transaction left the Phillies 40-man roster at 39.The Phils made another move after Saturday's game, sending reliever Juan Perez to Triple A to make room for Roy Oswalt, who will come off the disabled list and pitch Sunday.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow him on Twitter @JSalisburyCSN.

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