Red Sox's Willson Contreras' MLB Suspension Reportedly Reduced After Cade Cavalli, Nationals Fight

Boston Red Sox star Willson Contreras had his suspension for his involvement in a brawl during a June 30 game against the Washington Nationals reduced by two games, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported.

According to Rogers, Contreras' suspension has been reduced from seven to five games and will start on Thursday.

Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli previously had his suspension similarly reduced from seven games to five games.

Contreras was already being held out of the lineup for Thursday's matchup against the Chicago White Sox due to lingering soreness after taking a foul ball off the left foot the day prior.

The contact took place when Contreras was up to bat in the top of Wednesday's third inning against the White Sox. He exited the game in the bottom of the frame.

Contreras said after the game he wasn't "concerned about anything worse than a bruise" and expected to take his injury day-to-day.

Cavalli and Contreras were initially suspended for what MLB described as "actions initiating and during the benches-clearing incident" on June 30. The start of their suspensions were delayed upon appeal.

Cavalli, who shouted to Contreras before the two came together in what turned into an on-field brawl, started his reduced five-game suspension Tuesday.

Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton was also suspended, although he had his penalty reduced from three games to two games before starting his suspension Tuesday. Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas appealed his five-game suspension before beginning it Monday.

The Red Sox could now hope Contreras' suspension will give the slugger time to heal from his foot injury before returning.

This suspension timeline will keep Contreras on the sideline for the Red Sox's first game after the All-Star break.

He can return to the lineup for the second game of a July 17 doubleheader against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, MLB.com's Ian Browne noted.

The news comes the day after MLB announced Contreras would be making his Home Run Derby debut next Monday during All-Star Week in Philadelphia. His participation in the event could depend on how well his foot heals this weekend.