Autistic player signs with Royals on Autism Awareness Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Outfielder Tarik El-Abour, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and did not speak until he was 6, signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on Friday, which was Autism Awareness Day.

El-Abour was assigned to the Royals’ extended spring training in Surprise, Ariz., and will open with one of Kansas City’s three rookie league clubs, which all start their seasons in June. The 25-year-old El-Abour has played in the independent Empire League, where he was named rookie of the year in 2016.

Reggie Sanders, a former Royals player who is an adviser to baseball operations, was instrumental in getting El-Abour signed. Sanders has a foundation that raises money to fund treatment, prevention and a possible cure for autism. Sanders said his 40-year-old brother is autistic.

SUSPENSIONS: Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has been suspended five games for charging the mound after Luis Perdomo threw a pitch behind his back, inciting a benches-clearing brawl during Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres.

Perdomo was also suspended five games for intentionally throwing at the All-Star.

Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra was suspended four games and Padres pitcher Buddy Bauman got a one-game suspension for fighting.

Padres catcher A.J. Ellis and infielder Freddy Galvis and Rockies right-hander German Marquez were fined.