MLB reduces Fernando Rodney suspension

Closer Fernando Rodney won't be available to Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland for Monday night's series finale against Toronto.

Rodney had his three-game suspension reduced Monday to two games by Major League Baseball for a Sept. 4 incident in which he threw a ball into the stands in frustration after hanging on for a save in a 4-3 win at Tampa Bay.

Rodney appealed the suspension and appeared in the first three games against Toronto over the weekend.

He has converted 32 of 33 save chances for the Tigers, who entered play Monday with a 5½-game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.

"Just emotion, … suspended two games," he said. Rodney said he was also fined $3,000 US.

"For two days, $3,000 is a lot of money," he said.

After the Sept. 4 game, Rodney told reporters he grabbed the ball from teammate Miguel Cabrera and was throwing it to fans.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Rodney clearly didn't have any intent to injure anyone.

"I cannot condone what Fernando did. That was inappropriate — you're not supposed to throw the ball into the stands like that, and the players know that," he said.

"Fortunately, no one got hit, but beyond that it's not like he was upset at anyone other than himself. He wasn't throwing it at anyone, he wasn't throwing it in the press box on purpose. He just threw the ball."