Carrasco drops appeal of suspension

Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco dropped his appeal against a six-game suspension Thursday, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Carrasco was suspended by Major League Baseball Monday for throwing at Kansas City Royals first baseman Billy Butler last Friday. Carrasco initially planned to appeal the suspension, allowing him to stay in the Indians' rotation pending the review. But the right-hander changed his mind Thursday, a day after making his regularly scheduled start against Boston. His suspension officially starts Thursday. He was also fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball. Carrasco was ejected during the Indians' 12-0 loss Friday after he narrowly missed hitting Butler in the head on the first pitch after Kansas City outfielder Melky Cabrera's grand slam. Cabrera stood at home plate and watched the ball sail into the right field seats, giving the Royals a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning. Both benches cleared after Carrasco's next pitch just missed Butler's head. Carrasco is 8-9 this season with a 4.55 ERA in 21 starts. He pitched seven innings during the Indians' 4-3 loss to the Red Sox Wednesday, giving up nine hits and two earned runs.