White Sox's Tim Anderson's Suspension for José Ramírez Fight Reduced to 5 Games

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson will serve a shorter suspension than initially determined because of his fight with Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez.

While the league suspended him six games at first, Major League Baseball announced Thursday that the suspension was reduced to five games upon a settlement agreement. Anderson will begin the suspension Friday when the White Sox face the Colorado Rockies.

Anderson took to social media on Thursday to apologize, taking "full responsibility" for the fight:

Ramírez was suspended three games for the incident, although that too was reduced upon appeal. Instead, he was suspended two games, which was notable because the Guardians—unlike the White Sox—are still in the playoff chase at 4.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.

The fight happened during Chicago's 7-4 win on Aug. 5.

Anderson stood over Ramírez after the Guardians star slid headfirst into second base. Ramírez then pointed his finger in the shortstop's face, and they eventually exchanged punches with the third baseman landing a blow that knocked Anderson to the ground and caused him to stumble in the aftermath.

There was a larger scuffle as well, and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, manager Terry Francona and third base coach Mike Sarbaugh, as well as White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, were all ejected.

"I think he's been disrespecting the game for a while," Ramírez told reporters when discussing Anderson. "I was telling him to stop doing that. After he tapped me really hard, more than needed, he said he wanted to fight and I had to defend myself."

As for Anderson, he posted a number of cryptic tweets in the aftermath of the fight as well.

The suspension is part of a disappointing season for the 48-73 White Sox and Anderson as a whole. He is slashing .238/.285/.284 with just one home run and 21 RBI in 92 games.