DENVER, July 13 (UPI) -- San Diego Padres pitcher David Wells will miss his next scheduled start, due to a seven-game suspension by Major League Baseball for "inappropriate actions."
The 44-year-old left-hander was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in his last start July 7 against Atlanta. He approached home plate umpire Ed Hickox as Jeff Francoeur was rounding the bases after hitting a two-run homer.
Wells had to be restrained by three coaches and Padres catcher Josh Bard. He slammed a ball against the screen as he exited the field.
"It seems like every start that I've had, I've had a confrontation with an umpire," he said after his ejection. "I'm not a conspiracy guy, but I wonder sometimes."
Wells also was fined an undisclosed amount.
The Thursday suspension was supposed to start with Friday night's game at Arizona unless Wells makes a late appeal.
Wells is 4-5 with an ERA of 4.31 in 96 innings this season.
