On Saturday, the MLB penalty of All-Star third baseman José Ramírez for fighting with Tim Anderson of Chicago was lowered from three games to two.
With a reckless, well-placed punch that sent Anderson sprawling to the ground, Ramírez sent Anderson to the ground. This weekend, he will serve out his ban while Cleveland plays Tampa Bay.
Before the Guardians’ game against the Rays on Saturday, manager Terry Francona remarked, “Not having him for 10 minutes isn’t fun, let alone two (games).” But at least there are two instead of three. This morning, we received the final decision.”
The Guardians lost 6-5 despite rookie starter Gavin Williams’ outstanding performance, as he was not able to start with Ramírez in the lineup. Williams gave up 10 strikeouts in five innings.
Ramírez will not be there for the series finale on Sunday.
After clashing with Ramirez close to second base on August 5 and starting a benches-clearing brawl between the Guardians and White Sox that lasted for several minutes and featured multiple other flare-ups, Anderson received a six-game suspension.
MLB handed out its punishment two days after the brawl, but Ramírez continued playing this week until his appeal could be heard. Anderson also appealed his suspension.
“I told him, I said ‘Hey, take a breath’ because he really didn’t get an All-Star break,” Francona said. “He went to Seattle (for the All-Star Game). Hopefully this will be really good for him, and we’ll try to make do without him, which isn’t fun.”
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, Ramírez 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 3 1/2 games in the AL Central, open a two-game series in Cincinnati.
