Brewers' Will Smith has suspension reduced from 8 games to 6

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Will Smith's suspension for using a foreign substance on his arm has been reduced from eight games to six.

Major League Baseball announced the decision on Friday, and Smith started serving the suspension when the Brewers opened a series in Minnesota against the Twins.

''I think it's probably what we expected,'' manager Craig Counsell said. ''We kind of hoped going through the process that he was able to get it knocked down a little bit.''

Smith fared better in his appeal than did Orioles reliever Brian Matusz, whose eight-game suspension for the same infraction was upheld Friday.

Smith was initially suspended eight games after umpires found a substance on Smith's arm during a relief appearance against the Atlanta Braves on May 21. Smith was ejected and said at the time he forgot to wipe the substance off after being rushed into the game.

He had a hearing on Monday.

''It's been kind of drawn out. It feels like a long time ago when it happened now,'' Counsell said. ''We've been kind of waiting. ... But it got reduced. It's six games and we'll have him back on the homestand.''

Smith is 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA in 25 appearances this season.