Red Sox 1B Willson Contreras starts serving lighter 5-game suspension

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras began serving his suspension Thursday that was handed out for his participation in a brawl with the Washington Nationals last week.

After an appeal, Contreras' discipline reportedly was reduced from seven to five games.

While now set to miss four games before the All-Star break and one game after play resumes, Contreras still will be allowed to participate in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Philadelphia as well as Monday's Home Run Derby.

Contreras was named as an injury replacement on the American League All-Star roster on Tuesday, taking the spot of the Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is dealing with back discomfort. His spot in the Home Run Derby was announced Wednesday.

Contreras, 34, is dealing with his own injury concerns after he departed Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox because of a foot contusion as the result of a foul ball.

Last week's brawl between the Red Sox and Nationals started when Contreras was hit by a pitch from Cade Cavalli. Boston's Nate Eaton was suspended three games for his actions during the skirmish, while Cavalli was suspended seven games and Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas was handed a five-game ban.

Contreras is batting .285 with 20 homers and 61 RBIs in 88 games in his first season with Boston.

--Field Level Media