MLB reduces Cade Cavalli’s suspension to five games

WASHINGTON — Major League Baseball on Monday reduced Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli’s suspension from seven games to five, a decision that came after the starter appealed the league’s initial ruling.

Cavalli, 27, was disciplined for his role in a scuffle that broke out during Washington’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, including a comment that ignited the fracas. Early in the night, Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras irked Cavalli by brushing by him at the end of the first inning. Later, Cavalli upset Contreras in the fourth, when he yelled, “sit down, boy” — using a word that had historically racist connotations, though Cavalli said the next day he did not know that and was “torn up” when he learned how his words had been perceived. He vowed to remove the term from his vocabulary. The ensuing scuffle led to four ejections and four suspensions.

MLB felt Cavalli’s comment was inappropriate and merited discipline, according to a league source briefed on the decision, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Cavalli’s five-game suspension begins Tuesday night, which means he will next be eligible to pitch against the New York Yankees on Sunday, the final game before the All-Star break. In essence, this just adds one extra rest day before his next turn to pitch. Cavalli battled dehydration and light-headedness in his last start, completing just 2 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The other three suspensions are still in the appeals process. One of those players, pitcher Miles Mikolas, started Monday’s game for the Nationals.