Appeal of Fernando Rodney suspension may be more damaging to Detroit Tigers than actual time off

Now that Major League Baseball has reduced Fernando Rodney's suspension to two games, can the Tigers try to have the suspension made retroactive to the two games he helped lose last week?

I'm being facetious.

But it turns out Rodney (and the Tigers) would have been better off had he not appealed his three-day suspension.

Without an appeal, he would have served the punishment Tuesday through Thursday. During the three games, Rodney was charged with a loss in one game. In another, he gave up three earned runs that turned out to be important when the Tigers' ninth-inning comeback bid fell short.

In all, he gave up five earned runs in the three games after his suspension for throwing a ball toward the stands after a rough outing.