Royals' Keller drops appeal of 5-game suspension

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Kansas City Royals pitcher Brad Keller dropped his appeal and started a five-game suspension assessed by Major League Baseball after he hit Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox in the buttocks with a pitch last week.

Anderson flipped his bat after hitting a two-run homer off Keller in the fourth inning last Wednesday. Two innings later, Keller hit Anderson.

Keller pitched 6 1/3 innings in Monday's 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay and barring postponements would be eligible to return next Monday at home against the Rays.

Anderson and White Sox manager Rick Renteria were suspended one game each.