Brewers flamethrowing reliever sees suspension for Rays brawl reduced upon appeal

The Milwaukee Brewers may soon be getting one of their flamethrowing relievers back in their bullpen. Abner Uribe, who was suspended six games by Major League Baseball for his role in a benches clearing brawl with the Tampa Bay Rays, has seen his suspension reduced after an appeal.

Uribe's original six game suspension is now down to four games.

The Brewers optioned Uribe to the minors immediately after that Rays series. He will begin serving his suspension as soon as he gets called back up to the big leagues. Since being demoted to Triple-A Nashville, Uribe has pitched to a 1.23 ERA in six appearances with six walks and seven strikeouts.

While he's keeping runs off the board, the walks remain an issue just like they were in Milwaukee this season. While with the Brewers, Uribe had a 6.91 ERA in 14 appearances with 12 walks this season.

Besides merely the command problems, the decision to call up Uribe is a complicated one, because it means the Brewers will have to operate down a man in their bullpen for four games. It's very difficult for any team at any stretch in their season to be short a pitcher in their bullpen for four consecutive games.

A key stretch in Boston to finish up this road trip and then a four game set at home against the Chicago Cubs are some crucial games where every bullpen arm will be required. When the lowly Chicago White Sox roll into town after the Cubs, that may present an opportunity for the Brewers to bring Uribe back up so he can serve his suspension. They shouldn't need a full strength bullpen to take down the White Sox.

Uribe was suspended initially for instigating a fight with Jose Siri of the Rays. Freddy Peralta was already ejected from that game for throwing at Siri and Uribe threw the first punch two innings later, leading to all three players getting suspended. Peralta dropped his appeal following his next start and served his five game suspension.

The Brewers have been churning through pitchers this season. Enoli Paredes is the latest to get a promotion, and he's the 41st player to appear on the active roster already this season and the 24th pitcher. They haven't had Uribe all month and the bullpen has continued to perform well. Whenever Uribe does return with his triple digit fastball, the Brewers will need him to look more like he did last year and cut down on those walks, which has been a concern for Uribe going back to his minor league days.