Cleveland Guardians All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez had his MLB suspension for fighting with Chicago’s Tim Anderson reduced from three games to two on Saturday.
Ramirez, who knocked Anderson to the ground with a wild, well-placed punch, will serve the suspension this weekend during Cleveland’s series in Tampa Bay. Ramirez won’t play Saturday or Sunday.
Anderson was suspended six games for fighting with Ramirez near second base and triggering a benches-clearing melee on Aug. 5 between the Guardians and White Sox that went on for several minutes and included several other flare-ups.
MLB handed out its punishment two days after the brawl, but Ramirez continued playing this week until his appeal could be heard. Anderson also appealed his suspension.
Guardians manager Terry Francona, third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh and closer Emmanuel Clase were all suspended one game. Chicago manager Pedro Frifol also was suspended a game.
One of baseball’s best all-around players, Ramirez is batting .282 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs in 113 games. He’ll likely be back in Cleveland’s lineup on Tuesday, when the Guardians, who trail first-place Minnesota by 3½ games in the AL Central, open a two-game series in Cincinnati.