New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza had his suspension reduced from five games to four after the union filed an appeal on March 21.

Major League Baseball President and Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy ruled on the appeal on Tuesday, one day after Piazza played in the season-opener at Shea Stadium against the Chicago Cubs. Piazza has never missed a season-opener in his career.

Piazza's $3,000 fine was upheld and he will begin serving the suspension on Wednesday, meaning the catcher is not eligible to return until the Sunday, April 6 game against Montreal.

Piazza and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Guillermo Mota were each suspended five games for their parts in a bench-clearing brawl between the two teams on March 12. Major League Baseball later reduced Mota's suspension to four games.

Piazza charged Mota in the sixth inning after being hit in the shoulder with a pitch. The former Dodger catcher was hit on the second pitch of his at- bat, dropped his bat and rushed towards Mota. The pitcher threw his glove at Piazza, then retreated into the Los Angeles dugout.

The two had an altercation in spring training last year. After Mota hit Piazza in the hip with a pitch, Piazza waited until the end of the inning and grabbed the pitcher's shirt.