NEW YORK _ Tyler Austin's suspension was reduced from five games to four for his role in the Yankees-Red Sox brawl on April 11, Newsday's Laura Albanese reported after Thursday's game.
Austin was in the starting lineup at first base Thursday when the Yankees beat the Twins, 4-3, in the finale of a four-game series.
Austin was hit by a pitch from Red Sox reliever in the seventh inning and charged the mound at Fenway Park. Austin was given a five-game suspension, which he appealed. Kelly lost his appeal Thursday and will begin serving his six-game suspension.
"I think we'll find out soon, but that's me speculating," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before the game. "Actually, I'm not as surprised. I was at the hearing and they said probably middle or later part of (this week). And I think part of that was coinciding with the Kelly hearing and having to decide on the appeal, so, hopefully, we'll know something here real soon I would expect."
The Yankees now are headed on the road for three games with the Angels and four against the Astros.
"The timing's not perfect, obviously," Boone said. "He's been a really important player to us. We're getting ready to go to Anaheim where we're going to face two lefties (Andrew Heaney and Tyler Skaggs) and we really like him against lefties, obviously, so, but that is the situation we're in right now."
Austin has nine hits in his last 28 at-bats with two home runs, four doubles and 10 RBIs.
