Report: A's Ramon Laureano's Suspension for Astros Brawl Reduced to 4 Games

Major League Baseball reportedly reduced Oakland Athletics outfield Ramon Laureano's suspension from six games to four on Friday. 

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Laureano will now drop his appeal and serve his suspension from Friday through Monday.

Laureano was suspended for charging the Houston Astros' dugout Sunday after getting hit by a pitch for the third time in the series. Per ESPN, Laureano said he charged the dugout after Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron "said in Spanish something you don't say about my mother."

MLB suspended Cintron 20 games for his role in the incident.

Cintron accepted his suspension and said his "actions were inappropriate," but he denied saying anything about Laureano's mother.

The 26-year-old Laureano is in the midst of his third season as a member of the A's. Through 19 games this season, Laureano is hitting .262 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 11 runs scored.

Last season was a career year for the Dominican Republic native, as he hit .288 with 24 homers, 67 RBI, 79 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

Laureano is also known for playing quality defense in center field. He possesses one of the best outfield arms in baseball with nine assists in 2018 and eight last season, and he has a Defensive Runs Saved of 6 so far this season, per Fangraphs.

While Laureano is a big loss for the A's, they can afford to be without him for four games, as they are 13-6 and own a four-game lead over the Texas Rangers for first place in the American League West.

Until Laureano returns, Tony Kemp is a top candidate to see action in center field with Chad Pinder possibly sliding into the second base spot vacated by Kemp should he replace Laureano in center. Designated hitter Mark Canha can play some center field as well.

Laureano will miss three games against the San Francisco Giants and one against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he will be eligible to return for Tuesday's game at Arizona.