MLB Roundup: A-Rod appeals suspension, Indians add two years to Raburn contract

Alex Rodriguez on Wednesday officially appealed the 211-game suspension given to him by Major League Baseball on Monday. The suspension was due to take effect Thursday through the end of the 2014 season for violating MLB rules on performance enhancement drug use.

Because A-Rod's appeal is slated to be heard on an unspecified date by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, who likely will not issue a ruling in the case until well after the current season, perhaps as late as December, media reports indicated. Until the grievance hearing, Rodriguez will be allowed to continue playing for the Yankees at third base.

MLB confirmed A-Rod's appeal to ESPNNewYork.com.

Rodriguez is one of 13 players that the MLB has suspended for PED use following an investigation into South Florida-based Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic that has been accused of distributing PEDs to Rodriguez and others. Biogenesis has since gone out of business.

The other 12 players each received 50-game suspensions and have begun serving them. Rodriguez is the only player to appeal his suspension, which is also the longest of all players involved.

According to a statement by MLB Players Association chief Michael Weiner, A-Rod's punishment is "way out of line."

Rodriguez said before Wednesday's game in Chicago against the White Sox that "I have no reaction to that" regarding the appeal, according to various media reports.

---The Cleveland Indians signed outfielder Ryan Raburn to a two-year contract extension, the team announced. Raburn's contract runs through the 2015 season and includes a club option for 2016.

The 32-year-old Raburn is batting .277 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 66 games for the Indians this season. The versatile veteran has made starts in right field, left field, second base and designated hitter.

In eight seasons with the Indians and Detroit Tigers, Raburn has a career .258 batting average with 67 homers and 254 RBI. The Indians signed Raburn to a minor league contract on Jan. 21 with a non-roster invitation to spring training.

---Kansas City Royals left-hander Danny Duffy was slated to pitch for the first time in more than a year when he faced the Minnesota Twins. Duffy was off to a good start in 2012 with a 2-2 record and a 3.90 ERA when he suffered an elbow injury in May while pitching against the Chicago White Sox and underwent Tommy John surgery in June.

The 24-year-old is taking Wade Davis' turn in the Royals' rotation after being recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Davis is not with the team after a death in the family. Royals manager Ned Yost said Duffy likely would return to the minors after his spot start.

Duffy, who made his major league debut in 2011, has a 3-0 record with a 4.21 ERA in 10 appearances (eight starts) for Omaha this year. In his past three Storm Chasers starts, Duffy allowed two earned runs in 16 innings while striking out 18 and walking eight.

---Right-hander Jose Valverde has been given an unconditional release by the Detroit Tigers, the team announced.

The 35-year-old reliever converted nine of 12 save opportunities with the Tigers earlier this season but had a 5.59 ERA and was sent to Triple-A Toledo in June.

The Tigers turned to Joaquin Benoit as their closer and added Jose Veras from the Houston Astros at the trade deadline last week.

In 13 games with the Mud Hens, Valverde had seven saves and a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings.

Valverde signed a minor league contract with the Tigers in April.

In 11 major league seasons with the Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, Valverde has a 26-32 record with 286 saves and a 3.19 ERA.

---The Cleveland Indians recalled right-hander Danny Salazar from Triple-A Columbus to start Wednesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers in Progressive Field. The Indians also announced that starter Corey Kluber was placed on the 15-day disabled list and would miss four to six weeks with a sprained middle finger.

Salazar won his major league debut for the Indians on July 11 against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing one hit in six innings. In that game, he became the first Indians pitcher since 1964 with at least seven strikeouts in a debut.

The 27-year-old Kluber has been a pleasant surprise for the Indians this year, posting a 7-5 record with a 3.54 ERA in 19 starts.

To clear space on the roster, the Indians optioned right-hander Matt Langwell to Triple-A. Langwell has bounced between Cleveland and Columbus this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 5.06 ERA in five relief appearances for the Indians.