UPDATE 7:40 P.M. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo has defended Morgan after the outfield was suspended eight games for a series of on-field actions culminating in Wednesday night's brawl with the Florida Marlins.

Via Adam Kilgore:"Most of the incidents I really have little or no problem with at all. They were pure baseball things. But there were a few situations that were unfortunate mistakes by a young, aggressive player who should know better. (CHAMBERLAIN NOTE-MORGAN TURNED 30 THIS PAST JULY 2.)

"He's never had a problem off the field, outside the white lines. Between the white lines, there's been some issues. But he's been a model citizen off the field, in the clubhouse and in the community. Let's not forget that."

Kilgore also reported that Morgan's appeal hearing for both his suspensions will take place September 10. A hearing for Morgan's previous 7-game suspension had been scheduled for September 7.

UPDATE 6:30 P.M. Mark Zuckerman tweets that Nationals third-base coach Pat Listach has had his suspension reduced from three games to two. He will still begin serving his suspension Sunday.

UPDATE 3:10 P.M. Adan Kilgore reports that Morgan is listed as batting leadoff and playing center field tonight, an indication that Morgan is appealing his suspension.

UPDATE-2:10 P.M. Bill Ladson has Tweeted some reaction from Morgan in Pittsburgh, where the Nationals open a weekend series against the Pirates tonight. Here's what Morgan had to say:

"Man, they threw the book at me ... What did I do? I feel I haven’t done anything. They are blowing this way out of proportion because I’m a hard-nosed player -- because I knocked over a catcher. They throw the ball at me. Come on, what am I supposed to do?"

UPDATE-1:25 P.M. The Washington Nationals have confirmed a report, first made by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, that Nyjer Morgan will be suspended eight games for a series of incidents, including his role in the Nationals-Marlins brawl Wednesday night.

Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten was suspended for three games, as was Nationals third-base coach Pat Listach. For the Marlins, pitchers Chris Volstad and Alejandro Sanabia received six- and five-game suspensions respectively, while first baseman Gaby Sanchez also received three games. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount. Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount.

A statement by Major League Baseball Vice President of On-Field Operations Bob Watson cited Morgan for "three separate incidents this week." In addition to Wednesday's brawl, the statement claims Morgan "unnecessarily ran into St. Louis Cardinals catcher Brian Anderson in the bottom of the eighth inning" of their game August 28. Tuesday night, Morgan was caught on video making obscene comments to Marlins fans. Morgan had already drawn the ire of the Marlins for running over catcher Brett Hayes while trying to score in the 10th inning. Hayes sustained a separated left shoulder as a result of the collision.

Prior to charging the mound Wednesday night, Morgan had been hit by Volstad in the fourth inning with the Marlins leading 14-3, Morgan then stole second and third base en route to scoring a run, further enraging the opposition.

"The Florida Marlins will not decide when we run," was Riggleman's statement on the issue after Wednesday's game. Watson cited Riggleman for "agressive actions during the bench-clearing incident, and for the intentional actions of his pitcher Slaten," while former Nationals manager Frank Robinson, now Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, cited Riggleman's "inappropriate comments" as the reason for his additional fine.

Slaten's suspension came about after he was judged to have intentionally thrown at Sanchez in the seventh inning after warnings had been issued following the sixth-inning brawl. At that point, both Slaten and Riggleman were ejected.

The manager will serve his suspension tonight and Saturday, while the Nationals are in Pittsburgh for a weekend series against the Pirates. Listach will begin serving his suspension Sunday.

Listach's suspension was first reported by Bill Ladson of MLB.com, who also reported that the scheduled date of Morgan's hearing to appeal a previous suspension has been pushed back to Sept. 10 from Sept. 7. A hearing for Morgan's appeal of his seven-game suspension for throwing a ball into the stands Aug. 21 in Philadelphia had been scheduled for Sept. 7. If the suspension is not reduced, Morgan would serve a total suspension of 15 games. The Nationals have 28 games remaining in their season.

The Nationals open a three-game weekend home series against the Marlins on Sept. 10.