Manfred: MLB considers guidelines for racist taunts
MINNEAPOLIS >> Days after a fan at Fenway Park directed racial slurs at Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he is determined to “provide our players with an environment where they feel comfortable in every major league stadium that they play.”
Manfred spoke Friday before the Minnesota Twins hosted the Boston Red Sox, who were at the center of the controversy this week after Jones, who is black, heard the taunts.
Another fan was removed and banned for life from Fenway Park the next day for making a racist remark, and other black players throughout the big leagues said it is a common occurrence to be subjected to such behavior by fans.
Manfred said MLB is surveying all 30 teams to see how they handle such situations “as a prelude to giving consideration to some more industry wide guidelines in this area.”
“We want to make sure that we know exactly what the clubs are doing before we start recommending changes,” Manfred said. “We’re in the process right now.”
Manfred did not comment on specific changes or guidelines being considered, but said more would be forthcoming after officials get the information from the teams. DETROIT >> A University of Michigan graduate said she was denied service by a Comerica Park waitress and ballpark bar manager who refused to recognize her U.S. government-issued green card as proof of age.
Palesa Matinde, 25, said she was attending a Tigers game with her husband last week when they tried to order drinks, the Detroit News reported. Matinde, who is from Zimbabwe, said her federal permanent resident ID and her foreign photo ID were rejected before security escorted the couple from a pub in the park.
“This is xenophobia and discrimination,” Matinde said.
A spokeswoman for Delaware North, the park’s concessions contractor, said the company limits the acceptable forms of government ID to ensure compliance with regulations on alcohol service. of gathering information
Injuries: Cards place Piscotty on DL
ATLANTA >> The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Stephen Piscotty on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain on Friday and received encouraging news about outfielder Dexter Fowler.
Piscotty was hurt while running to first base on a second-inning grounder in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to Milwaukee. Fowler came out because of a strained right shoulder, leaving the team in need of outfield depth.
There were concerns on Thursday night Fowler might join Piscotty on the disabled list, but a MRI showed no structural damage. SAN DIEGO >> Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has gone on the disabled list for the first time in his 14-year big league career, with right elbow soreness.
Gonzalez had played 1,774 games without a DL trip, the most among active players. SEATTLE >> Mariners lefty James Paxton was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left forearm strain, another blow for Seattle’s already short-handed starting rotation.
The Mariners believe the injury is minor and Paxton will only miss two or three starts. But Paxton is the third pitcher from the projected starting rotation at the beginning of spring training to find himself on the disabled list, joining Drew Smyly (60-day DL) and Felix Hernandez (10-day DL).
Paxton has been one of baseball’s best pitchers through the first month of the season with a 3-0 record and 1.43 ERA. NEW YORK >> Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a bruised right wrist, the latest setback for a New York team beset by several key injuries already this season.
The oft-injured d’Arnaud is expected to wear a splint for at least seven days and then rest his wrist until he can resume baseball activities. He is likely to be sidelined at least a couple of weeks.
“It sounds like it’s not a big deal, but we know from the past it is a big deal,” manager Terry Collins said.
The move, retroactive to Wednesday, opened a roster spot for Rafael Montero, who was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to make his first major league start of the season Friday night against the Marlins. Montero pitched in place of injured ace Noah Syndergaard.