SEATTLE — Major League Baseball has dropped its five-game suspension of Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee because of his appeal.

The team said Tuesday that MLB Vice President of Administration John McHale made the decision after Wednesday's appeal hearing and that difficulties in recovering from foot surgery and a serious muscle strain were sufficient evidence to rescind the suspension and fine.

Lee was disciplined after being ejected from a March 15 spring training game in Tucson against the Diamondbacks in which a pitch nearly hit batter Chris Snyder.

Lee was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 4, retroactive to March 26, with an abdominal muscle strain.