Tigers closer Rodney suspended three games

This afternoon MLB slapped Tigers closer Fernando Rodney with a three-game suspension for throwing a ball into the Tropicana Field press box after the final out of Friday’s game. Rodney is naturally appealing the suspension, but it likely would have made sense for him to just sit out the three-game series against the Royals that begins tonight. Detroit can probably take at least two out of three games from Kansas City without him and then Rodney would definitely be available for the three-game series against second-place Minnesota this weekend. Brandon Lyon will likely get the nod in the ninth inning if needed, but part of the Tigers’ success stems from going with Rodney rather than Lyon at closer. Lyon has emerged a strong setup man after some rough early outings and Rodney is 32-of-33 converting saves with a 3.41 ERA in 61 innings. Among the 28 pitchers with at least 15 saves this year only Rodney, Huston Street, and Mariano Rivera have avoided multiple blown saves.