ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Texas Rangers third baseman Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the starting lineup Friday night against Tampa Bay after serving a three-game suspension for hitting an umpire with equipment.
Cabrera missed a series in Detroit after Major League Baseball reduced his suspension from four games.
Cabrera initially appealed the four-game suspension and undisclosed fine that MLB handed down a week ago, after umpire crew chief Bill Miller was hit on the foot by a small plastic guard or batting gloves. Cabrera had tossed the plastic guard with the gloves wrapped inside of it after his ejection in the sixth inning of a 4-2 win over Cleveland on June 20.
Also on Friday, the Rangers claimed right-hander Jesse Biddle off waivers from Seattle and unconditionally released left-hander Drew Smyly after he cleared waivers.
Biddle will be added to the active roster when he reports.