The Washington Nationals have suspended Jonathan Papelbon for four games without pay for his role in a dugout incident during which he choked teammate Bryce Harper.

The team suspension will kick in on Thursday after Papelbon first serves a three-game suspension that was levied by Major League Baseball.

Papelbon had been appealing the league's suspension, which stemmed from him throwing up and in at Manny Machado, but he has since dropped the appeal.

"The behavior exhibited by Papelbon yesterday is not acceptable," Mike Rizzo said in a statement. "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."

Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended three games and fined by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Manny Machado earlier this week.

After Machado had hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning of Wednesday's game between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, Papelbon's first pitch to Machado in the ninth inning was up and in. Then his third pitch was a fastball that him the third baseman on his upper arm.

Papelbon will begin the suspension Friday night unless he files an appeal.