Baseball notes: Harper’s suspension cut to three games – STLtoday.com

Washington Nationals star outfielder Bryce Harper agreed to drop his appeal of a four-game suspension and in turn had one game shaved from the punishment. He reached the agreement Wednesday with Major League Baseball and began serving the suspension immediately.

The punishment stemmed from a bench-clearing brawl Monday after Harper was hit by a 98 mph fastball from Giants reliever Hunter Strickland.

There was no word on Strickland, who received a six-game suspension and also had planned to appeal.

Each player also was fined an undisclosed amount.

Trout has surgery • Mike Trout had surgery on his injured left thumb, and the Angels slugger is likely to be out for at least six weeks. The typical recovery time for the procedure is six to eight weeks.

“We’re going to count the days, and we’re excited that everything went well,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Trout suffered the injury while sliding headfirst into second base Sunday, and is on the disabled list for the first time in his career.

The two-time American League MVP is off to another spectacular start to the season, batting .337 with 16 homers, 36 RBIs and a 1.203 OPS. He leads the AL in on-base percentage (.461), slugging percentage (.742), extra-base hits (32) and walks (36).

White Sox announcer Harrelson to retire • Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson said he will retire after working 20 games next year, his 34th season in the booth.

Harrelson, a colorful character known for sayings like “You can put it on the board — Yes!!!” when the White Sox hit a home run, will work primarily Sunday home games in 2018. After he finishes his TV duties, the 75-year-old Harrelson will serve as a team ambassador for the 2019 season.

Harrelson played nine seasons in the majors, hitting .239 with 131 homers and 421 RBIs for the Kansas City Athletics, Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Freak injury sidelines Castillo • The Orioles put catcher Welington Castillo on the disabled list because of a testicular injury. He spent time in an emergency room Tuesday night after a pitch that hit the Yankees’ Didi Gregorius ricocheted downward and struck Castillo between the legs. Castillo is batting .317 with four homers and 17 RBIs.

Gregorius, a shortstop, did not play Wednesday — a day after being hit by that pitch.

Kluber set to return • Corey Kluber is scheduled to return to the mound Thursday for the Indians, against the Athletics. It would be his first start since May 2. He was placed on the disabled list the next day because of a strained lower back. He is 3-2 with a 5.06 ERA in six starts.

Surgery set for Keith Hernandez • Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez, who was the co-MVP of the National League in 1979 when he was a first baseman with the Cardinals, is scheduled for partial knee replacement surgery Thursday.

Elsewhere • Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton was held out of the lineup while he recovers from mild hamstring cramping.

• Twins slugger Miguel Sano missed his second straight game because of an illness.