Boston Red Sox first baseman and designated hitter Willson Contreras has had his suspension reduced from seven games to five.
The decision allows the veteran slugger to participate in the All-Star Game after appealing his punishment stemming from a benches-clearing brawl on June 30 against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park.
The incident escalated in the fourth inning when Nationals starter Cade Cavalli struck out Contreras looking and uttered “sit down, boy,” prompting a heated confrontation. Contreras charged toward the mound and threw his helmet toward Cavalli amid the ensuing chaos.
Contreras, along with teammate Nate Eaton and interim manager Chad Tracy, was ejected, while Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas also received discipline.
Cavalli’s suspension was similarly reduced from seven to five games. Mikolas drew a five-game ban and Eaton three games, with all parties also fined. Contreras began serving the remainder of his suspension on Thursday and will miss one additional game after the All-Star break.
The 34-year-old Contreras, batting .285 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs, was named an American League All-Star replacement and is slated for the Home Run Derby if healthy. He recently exited a game with a foot injury.
The reduction reflects MLB’s review of the appeal while acknowledging the provocative exchange that ignited the altercation.
