Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster suspended 5 games for hitting A-Rod

Ryan Dempster of the Boston Red Sox has been suspended for five games and fined by Major League Baseball for intentionally hitting Yankees star Alex Rodriguez with a pitch.

The penalty was announced Tuesday by MLB senior vice president Joe Garagiola Jr. He also fined Yankees manager Joe Girardi for arguing with plate umpire Brian O'Nora on Sunday night.

Dempster could still play if he decides to appeal the penalty.