Machado to begin serving suspension on Sunday

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has dropped his appeal of a four-game suspension and will begin serving it on Sunday.

Machado's hearing was scheduled for Tuesday in Baltimore, according to an industry source, but he's decided to forego the process.

Major League Baseball was unlikely to reduce the suspension, given that it covered only four games despite Machado's actions on June 7. The Orioles anticipated that a hearing wouldn't turn out favorably, but the decision rested with Machado.

Machado charged the mound and delivered a punch to Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura after taking a 99 mph fastball in his lower back. Machado jawed at Ventura during his previous at-bat for two pitches that he deemed unnecessarily close.

The benches and bullpens emptied, but no one sustained a serious injury. First baseman Chris Davis sat out the following game, however.

Machado's consecutive games streak, the longest in the majors, ends at 229.

Ventura dropped his appeal, and MLB reduced his suspension from nine to eight games. He's going to miss one start. The Orioles will play shorthanded for four games, including Monday's trip to Arlington, Texas, and the ensuing two-game series against the Padres at Camden Yards.

Machado will return for Friday night's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. The teams play a doubleheader the following day.

Bad idea to be shorthanded for a doubleheader, another reason why the Orioles wanted the issue resolved today if at all possible.

J.J. Hardy has returned to shortstop after coming off the disabled list yesterday. Ryan Flaherty and Paul Janish can handle third base while Machado serves his suspension. Pedro Alvarez also is an option.