Suspensions Are Reduced

Major league baseball has reduced the suspensions of three Tampa Bay Devil Rays who were involved in a brawl with Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 29. Paul Beeston, baseball’s chief operating officer, announced Friday that Gerald Williams’ suspension had been reduced from five games to three, and Dave Eiland and Tony Fiore had their bans reduced from three to two games. Williams, Fiore and Eiland had appealed their suspensions.

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Baltimore outfielder Albert Belle, who has been out with inflammation of the right hip since Sept. 4, says he will need extensive strength training and conditioning over the winter. Belle will miss a three-game series with Boston this weekend before returning for the team’s final homestand of the season next week, possibly as a designated hitter. . . . Texas outfielder Rusty Greer, who hasn’t started the past eight games because of inflammation in both feet, will not play again this season for the Rangers. Manager Johnny Oates said that the decision was made based on Greer’s visit to a doctor the day before.