Report: Jonathan Papelbon files grievance against Nationals

Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon has filed a grievance against the team for failing to pay his salary during the four-game suspension it handed him at the end of this past season, WEEI.com reported Sunday.

The Nationals suspended Papelbon, 34, without pay for his role in a Sept. 28 dugout incidentin which he choked teammate and National League MVPBryce Harper. The altercation occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning of the Nationals' series finale against thePhillies, Washington's firstgame since it was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

After getting out of the batter's box slowly on a pop fly to left field, Harper, 22, returned to the dugout and was approached by Papelbon, who had been acquired exactly two months earlier from Philadelphia and had entered the game in the top of eighth. The two appeared to have a brief but heated exchange that resulted in Papelbon putting his hands on Harper's throat and shoving him into the back wall of the Washington dugout. Several Nationals players and coaches responded immediately and separated the two.

"The behavior exhibited by Papelbon is not acceptable," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement at the time. "That is not at all in line with the way our players are expected to conduct themselves, and the Nationals organization will not tolerate it in any way."

In filing his grievance, Papelbon contends no precedent exists for a player's salary being withheld during a team-imposed suspension, WEEI.com reported, citing league sources.

A date for a hearing has not been set. Rizzo is expected to address Papelbon's grievance Monday when he meets with the media at the winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.

Information from ESPN.com's Eddie Matz and The Associated Press was used in this report.