http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics...witter-premium
CHICAGO — Billy Butler missed the past two games against the White Sox because he was injured in an altercation with teammate Danny Valencia, The Chronicle has learned.
No one in the Oakland clubhouse would discuss the matter on the record, but no one denied that it occurred, either.
“No comment,” Valencia said after the team’s 4-2 loss to the White Sox. “What happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse.”
Manager Bob Melvin would not comment on the incident, which occurred Friday night, according to sources. Melvin said Saturday only that Butler was out with nausea and vomiting, but he specifically ruled out the flu when asked if that was Butler’s ailment.
ALSO
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 24: Billy Butler #16 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a solo homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning to regain the lead against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum on July 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) A’s Billy Butler hurt by Danny Valencia in altercation, sources CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 21: Khris Davis #2 of the Oakland Athletics is greeted by Marcus Semien #10 after hitting a two-run homer against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning on August 21, 2016 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) Khris Davis hits 32nd homer, but A’s lose at Chicago
Nausea and vomiting typically are among the symptoms of concussions.
Valencia did not play in the finale in Chicago, quite possibly because of the altercation, though he also was 2-for-20 lifetime against White Sox starter Jose Quintana.
Butler and Valencia were teammates with Kansas City in 2014 as well as the second half of last year and this year in Oakland, and they are known to engage in a great deal of loud banter in the clubhouse and on the field