Chris Sale of White Sox drops appeal

CHICAGO -- Like teammate Jeff Samardzija did one day earlier, Chicago White Sox left-hander Chris Sale on Thursday dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension received for his role in an on-field brawl with the Kansas City Royals on April 23.

A day after the fight, Sale admitted to approaching the Royals' locker room an inning after it took place, but no further incidents took place.

He will be eligible to pitch again Tuesday when the White Sox play at Milwaukee.

Samardzija pitched in Tuesday's victory against the Detroit Tigers and then dropped his appeal. He will be eligible to return Monday at Milwaukee. Sale took the mound in Wednesday's White Sox victory against the Tigers.

The White Sox will cover the suspensions by having rookie Carlos Rodon make his first major league start Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

A total of six players received suspensions from the April 23 fight. In addition to Sale and Samardzija, the Royals had four players disciplined. Yordano Ventura was suspended seven games, Edinson Volquez got five games and Lorenzo Cain and Kelvin Herrera each received two games. White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers was fined an undisclosed amount.