Donnelly's suspension reduced

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly had his suspension for having pine tar on his glove during a game reduced to eight days Thursday by Major League Baseball.

Donnelly, a former Salt Lake Stinger, was ejected without throwing a pitch June 14 against the Washington Nationals and was suspended for 10 days. He appealed and received a two-day reduction, baseball spokesman Pat Courtney said.

Donnelly is 6-2 with a 3.65 ERA. He will begin serving the suspension Friday, when the Angels open a three-game series at Kansas City.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia and Nationals manager Frank Robinson were suspended for one game apiece and fined for a shouting match after Robinson had umpires inspect Donnelly's glove.

YANKS CUT RELIEVERS: Relievers Mike Stanton and Paul Quantrill became the first victims of the New York Yankees' roster shakeup.

The ineffective relievers were designated for assignment Thursday, giving the Yankees 10 days to trade them or place them on waivers.

New York will fill their roster spots by recalling outfielder Bubba Crosby from Triple-A Columbus and purchasing the contract of left-hander Wayne Franklin from the Clippers. Despite the highest payroll in the majors, the Yankees have struggled to a 39-38 record.

NATIONALS PUT CHURCH ON DL: The Washington Nationals placed outfielder Ryan Church on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Rick Short from Triple-A New Orleans.

Church hurt his shoulder June 22 when he crashed into the wall while making a game-ending catch against Pittsburgh. His placement on the DL is retroactive to June 23.

The 32-year-old Short made his major league debut June 10, hitting an RBI single in his only at-bat before returning to New Orleans.

PITCHER SENTENCED: Texas Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco pleaded no contest Thursday to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to a work program and anger management classes.

Francisco, 25, was accused of tossing a chair at an Oakland Athletics fan last Sept. 13.

Superior Court Judge Michael Gaffey sentenced Francisco to 30 days in jail, which can be served in a work detail. Francisco received 10 days off for good behavior. Gaffey also ordered that Francisco attend 26 anger management cases, one class a week for six months, according to prosecutors.