Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan each had their three game suspensions reduced to two games for their involvement in a spring training brawl against the Rays.

After a brawl which took place on March 13 both players were set to face a three game ban. They each began the season on the roster while they were appealing those suspensions, but both players dropped their appeals when their sentence was reduced to two games.

Cabrera sat out Friday night against the Rays and should be back in the lineup Sunday. In his place Johnny Damon played center and Hideki Matsui played left. Duncan will start his mandatory vacation Sunday and should return to the lineup Tuesday against Kansas City.

“The Players’ Association and Commissioner’s office got together and found common ground, so it’s time to serve and move on,” GM Brian Cashman said.

The Yankees are feeling fortunate that even though the players had to serve their suspensions neither players are going to be forced to miss an entire series.

“Ultimately we were going to have to do it at some point. We just have to get this thing over with, one way or the other. I’m glad it’s not three games, glad it’s two. After Monday it will be all gone.”

The next time the Yankees and the Rays butt heads you should expect more of the same from Duncan.

“I believe deep down in my heart there’s a right way to play the game, and if anything I need to honor that,” Duncan said.