Kennedy drops appeal, begins serving suspension

PHOENIX -- D-backs right-hander Ian Kennedy dropped his appeal and began serving his 10-game suspension Monday night.

Kennedy received the suspension for his part in the brawl between the D-backs and Dodgers last week in Los Angeles.

Kennedy had appealed the decision, which allowed him to make his scheduled start Sunday against the Padres. By choosing to serve his suspension now, Kennedy minimized the effect of his absence. That's because the D-backs have a pair of off-days over the next week that will allow them to get by with just four starters.

"Doing it this way was better for the team," Kennedy said. "I didn't know when the hearing was, I didn't have a date or anything, so I wanted to put it behind me. Every time I walked by, it seemed like there was another question being asked about it and I didn't want my teammates to be distracted with it, either."

Due to the injury to Brandon McCarthy, the team will still have to call up a Minor Leaguer to start Tuesday and that will be Randall Delgado.

Kennedy is eligible to start June 29 against the Braves in Atlanta. Until then Kennedy is allowed to be in uniform during batting practice, but can't be in the dugout during his suspension.

"I'll just throw extra bullpens and use it as work time to get better," Kennedy said.

Whether Delgado will also make starts on June 23 and 28 likely depends on how he pitches. Left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who was sent down last Monday, could be recalled as soon as Thursday if the team wants him to make the starts instead.