Barry Chin / Globe Staff

The Red Sox announced early in Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Twins that Brandon Workman’s six-game suspension has been upheld by Major League Baseball. Workman was originally suspended for throwing at the Rays’ Evan Longoria on May 30, for which his was given the suspension on June 3.

He appealed that decision and the appeal was heard on Friday.

Workman, he did not drop the appeal, will begin serving the suspension immediately. Because of that, the Sox will need a starter to take Workman’s place. His next scheduled start would have been Friday in Oakland.



Before Wednesday’s game manager John Farrell said he was making contingency plans for whenever the decision of Workman was rendered.

Felix Doubront, on the disabled list since May 21 with a left shoulder strain, could be activated to take the start on Friday. While on his rehab assignment, Doubront has been on the same schedule as Workman. In three rehab outings with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, Doubront has gone a combined 13 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits and five walks with 15 strikeouts, a 2.63 ERA and an opponents’ average of .208.

In eight games, five starts, Workman is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA. In 34 1/3 innings, he has allowed 11 earned runs on 23 hits and 12 walks with 28 strikeouts, for a 1.019 WHIP.