(Houston) Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu will be able to play in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, even though his two-game suspension was upheld on appeal.
The suspension, handed down by senior vice president of major league baseball Michael Hill on Saturday, was upheld, but postponed until the start of the next season. The call initially allowed Abreu to take part in the sixth match between the two teams, played on Sunday.
The suspension was intended to punish a pitch that intentionally hit Adolis Garcia in the eighth inning of Game 5. Both shelters then emptied, causing a 12-minute delay.
Two innings earlier, Garcia had hit a three-run homer and celebrated by swinging his bat.
Abreu has been one of the Astros’ best relievers since the start of the playoffs with a 2.45 ERA in eight appearances on the mound.
