Houston
Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel has been banned for five games from
the start of the 2018 season for making a racist gesture.
Cuban
Gurriel made a slant-eyed gesture, apparently at Japanese pitcher Yu
Darvish, in game three of the World Series against the Los Angeles
Dodgers.Gurriel will not miss any of the best-of-seven series, which is tied at 2-2.
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said there was "there is no place in our game" for such behaviour.
Gurriel was filmed making the gesture in the dugout after hitting a home run off Darvish during the Astros' victory on Friday. The Dodgers won the fourth match of the series 6-2 on Saturday.
The 33-year-old played for a year in Japan and later apologised for an "offensive gesture that was indefensible".
"I sincerely apologise to everyone that I offended with my actions. I deeply regret it," said Gurriel.
"I would particularly like to apologise to Yu Darvish, a pitcher I admire and respect."
"No-one is perfect," Darvish posted on social media. "That includes both you and I.
"What he [did] isn't right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning rather than to accuse him. If we can take something for this, this is a giant step for mankind.
"Since we are living in such a wonderful world, let's stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger. I'm counting on everyone's big love."

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