Cubs' Piniella suspended indefinitely, fined for outburst

CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was suspended indefinitely and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Sunday for his latest dirt-kicking tirade against an umpire.

Piniella was ejected in the eighth inning of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

After Angel Pagan was thrown out trying to steal third on a pitch that bounced away from the catcher, Piniella stormed out of the dugout and kicked dirt as he argued and tossed his cap, leading to his ouster by third-base umpire Mark Wegner.

MLB also said Piniella made contact with Wegner during the outburst -- which Piniella denied.

Piniella began serving his suspension Sunday. The length of Piniella's suspension will be determined today after a meeting with John McHale Jr., the MLB executive vice president for administration.

Piniella's outburst came one day after catcher Michael Barrett and pitcher Carlos Zambrano fought in the dugout and clubhouse, leaving Barrett with a cut on his lower lip that required six stitches at a hospital and a bruise below his left eye.

Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell will act as manager while Piniella serves his suspension.

The Cubs closed out a tumultuous weekend by beating the Atlanta Braves 10-1 on Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak.

-- AP