Morgan's suspension reduced to eight games

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan will serve an eight-game suspension, for fighting and other incidents of bad behavior, instead of a combined ban of 15 games, Major League Baseball (MLB) said on Thursday.

Morgan's overall penalty was reduced following an appeal and his suspension will start on Friday with Washington's game away to the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I will be with the team and roll on," Morgan was quoted as saying by MLB's official website (mlb.mlb.com). "I will show support, I will take batting practice and then watch the game."

Morgan was handed the eight-game ban and an undisclosed fine on September 3 after a series of incidents, including a brawl in a September 1 game at the Florida Marlins.

At that time, Morgan also had a seven-game suspension under appeal with the league.

"Now I can move on and finish the season on a positive note," Morgan said. He is expected to return to action on September 25 against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)