Houston Astros right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu will be eligible to pitch in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday after his two-game suspension was moved to the start of the 2024 season.
The Astros face the Texas Rangers at home Monday with the winner advancing to the World Series. Houston has advanced to the World Series in four of the previous six seasons.
Abreu drew the two-game suspension on Saturday. MLB said all six umpires deemed that Abreu intentionally hit Rangers batter Adolis Garcia with a pitch in the eighth inning of Game 5 on Friday. Garcia hit a three-run homer in his previous at-bat against Justin Verlander and wildly celebrated.
After Garcia was hit by the pitch, the teams engaged in a benches-clearing incident and 12-minute delay before play resumed.
Abreu appealed the decision and immediately was eligible to pitch in Game 6 on Sunday, giving up one run in an inning of work in the Rangers' 9-2 victory that forced the deciding game. The appeal was heard Monday with MLB moving the discipline to next season.
The Astros are scheduled to open the 2024 schedule at home with four games against the New York Yankees. Abreu will not be eligible to pitch in the March 28 season opener or on March 29.
Abreu, 26, has a 2.45 ERA with 13 strikeouts and two walks in 7 1/3 innings over eight postseason games. The right-hander was 3-2 with a 1.75 ERA, five saves, 100 strikeouts and 31 walks in 72 innings over 72 appearances during the regular season. He gave up just 44 hits.
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