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DETROIT -- Rick Porcello officially dropped the appeal of his six-game MLB suspension, which was later reduced to five games.
The Detroit Tigers confirmed the expected move before Thursday's game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.
"It worked out fine," Porcello said.
Fine because the right-hander most likely won't have to miss a start. Porcello can serve the suspension without missing a start because the Tigers have four games remaining before the All-Star break, and he is not expected to start the first game back.
Porcello was suspended six games for hitting Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist on June 30, a day after former Tiger Fernando Rodney pitched high-and-tight to Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, which caused verbal sparring between the two teams.
"I disagree with the suspension," Porcello said. "I'll leave it at that."
While suspended, Porcello can participate in his pregame routines and work out with teammates but is barred from the dugout during games.
"To my knowledge, I can do pretty much everything up until the game," he said. "It will be weird not being down there."
But the suspension being sandwiched around the All-Star break presents a challenge.
"It's going to be a long suspension because of the break, so I gotta make sure to, mentally, stay focused as much as I can."
Porcello pitched six innings for a win Wednesday night, allowing three runs on seven hits. He struck out six and walked none. The right-hander is in the midst of a solid season, despite a 4.80 ERA.
"I feel good," he said after the game. "I think, every week, every start is a new battle, a new challenge, but I think the adjustments I've been making have been a lot more effective this year."
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