Boston Red Sox All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras had his suspension reduced from seven games to five after an appeal, MLB announced Thursday, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com.
Contreras' ban starts Thursday, making him eligible to return for the second game of a July 17 doubleheader versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
The 34-year-old was punished for his role in a benches-clearing fracas with the Washington Nationals on June 30. Part of Contreras' suspension is related to him violating the league's social media policy by posting an Instagram comment directed at a fan during the game.
Contreras wrote, "Come meet me at Fenway" in response to getting taunted online.
Willson Contreras is still interested in fighting someone if you’re interested in the offer. pic.twitter.com/sCXUIHp7m6
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 1, 2026
Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli also originally received a seven-game ban but got it lowered to five Monday.
Cavalli yelled, "Sit down, boy" after striking out Contreras in the fourth inning of the Nationals' 8-1 win. Contreras proceeded to get into a heated exchange with Cavalli and later threw his helmet at the pitcher during the brawl.
Cavalli later apologized for his remark, clarifying that he didn't mean to evoke the racist history of the term "boy" in the United States.
Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas also received a five-game ban, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton got a three-game suspension. Those players appealed as well.
