(Houston) Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu will be eligible to play in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, although his two-game suspension was upheld on appeal.
The suspension, imposed by Major League Baseball Senior Vice President Michael Hill on Saturday, was upheld but postponed until the start of next season. The call-up initially allowed Abreu to participate 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 dugouts were 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 starts on the mound.
