(670 The Score) White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson's original six-game suspension from MLB for his role in a fight with Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez on Aug. 5 has been reduced to five games after he settled with the league, according to multiple reports Thursday afternoon. The sides didn't get to a hearing.
After choosing to appeal the original suspension, Anderson had been playing since it was handed down on Aug. 7. Ramirez originally received a three-game suspension before it was reduced to two.
The incident started after Ramirez slid safely into second base for a double as Anderson took a throw on Aug. 5. The two soon tangled, with Anderson being the first to square up with his fists to begin the fight in earnest. Ramirez then knocked Anderson to the ground by connecting with a punch during the wild scrum. MLB cited Anderson for being the instigator of the melee.
After his five-game suspension was finalized, Anderson issued an apology on social media.
"I want to apologize to the entire White Sox organization, my teammates, manager and coaches and to the fans for my part in the altercation which took place in Cleveland," Anderson wrote on Instagram. "This has been an incredibly disappointing season for me personally and for our team. I will not get into the things that were said to me by Cleveland players both Friday night and Saturday, but those comments do not excuse my language or conduct, and I take full responsibility for my emotions getting the better of me. The Cleveland players are free to say whatever they want, but I will just say that no one has more respect for the game of baseball than me. I look forward to returning after serving my suspension and finishing the season playing the best baseball I can to help my team."
Anderson is having a rough season, hitting .238 with one homer, 21 RBIs and a .568 OPS in 92 games. He’ll begin sitting out Friday, when the White Sox visit the Rockies.
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