Major League Baseball

Jeff Samardzija drops appeal, starts serving 5-game suspension

Published May. 6, 2015 7:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

White Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija has dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension.

Samardzija beat Detroit on Tuesday and started serving the penalty Wednesday. If there are not any postponements, he would be eligible to rejoin the active roster for the May 11 game against Milwaukee.

Samardzija was suspended by Major League Baseball following his involvement in a bench-clearing brawl against Kansas City on April 23.

With Samardzija out, White Sox rookie Carlos Rodon is slated to make his first major league starti Saturday against Cincinnati.

The 22-year-old left-hander made his major league debut on April 21 and has a 2.84 ERA in 6-1/3 innings and three relief appearances.

"He's doing well for a young guy coming up and I know it's been a tough spot for him to be able to fill some innings for us, come in and get a lefty," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Now, with this going on, he gets the chance to make a start for us. It's a good spot for him."