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MLB reduces suspension

Boston Red Sox's Coco Crisp, right, had his suspension reduced to five games. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Boston Red Sox's Coco Crisp, right, had his suspension reduced to five games. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Major League Baseball reduced Coco Crisp’s suspension from seven days to five for his role in a bench-clearing brawl during Boston’s game with Tampa Bay on June 5.

Crisp was to start in center field for Friday’s game against Houston. He will begin serving his suspension today, sitting out the last two games against the Astros and the three-game series in Tampa, which begins Monday.

In all, eight players from the Red Sox and Rays were suspended a total of 38 games following the brawl. It was triggered when Crisp rushed the mound after being hit by a pitch from James Shields.

Three Red Sox were suspended: Crisp for seven games, pitcher Jon Lester for five games and first baseman Sean Casey for three games.

The Red Sox received a letter on Friday from John McHale, an executive vice president in the commissioner’s office, with an explanation of the reduction of Crisp’s suspension. Red Sox manager Terry Francona would not divulge details of the letter, nor would he speculate on the timing of when Crisp would serve his suspension, forcing him to miss all three games in Tampa.

Crisp doubted that any tension between the Red Sox and Rays, fighting for first place in the A.L. East, would carry over to this week’s series.

“I think everybody’s just going to go out and play baseball,” Crisp said.

Clearing the bases

Hideki Matsui was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left knee, leaving the New York Yankees without one of their key sluggers. … Orioles right-hander Matt Albers is likely done for the season after an MRI on his ailing shoulder revealed a torn labrum. … Right-hander Shawn Hill returned to the Nationals after an examination at the Mayo Clinic revealed no particular reason for his troubling right forearm soreness. … Mark Mulder, limited by a shoulder injury to just three major league appearances since the 2006 season, was activated by the Cardinals and sent to their bullpen. … Right-hander Brett Tomko rejoined the Padres, six days after he was placed on unconditional waivers by the Royals. This is Tomko’s third stint with San Diego.