AROUND THE HORN
Rockies: The Rockies said a fan suspected of repeatedly yelling a racial slur at Marlins OF Lewis Brinson during Sunday’s game at Coors Field in Denver was actually hollering at “Dinger,” the club’s purple, polka-dotted dinosaur mascot. “After a thorough investigation that included calls, emails and video clips from concerned fans, media and broadcast partners, the Rockies have concluded that the fan was indeed yelling for mascot Dinger in hopes of getting his attention for a photo, and there was never any racial slur that occurred,” the team said in a statement Monday. “The Rockies remain dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for all fans, players and guests at Coors Field,” the team added, “and any fan using derogatory language of any kind will be ejected from Coors Field.” The team said fans who were seated nearby contacted the club in defense of the fan after it put out a statement Sunday night saying it was disgusted by epithets hurled at Brinson when he was up in the ninth inning of the Rockies’ 13-8 victory. The club then contacted the fan, who explained it was just a big misunderstanding and that he was only trying to get the attention of Dinger, who was two sections over. The Rockies don’t plan to make any changes to the mascot’s name.
Yankees: SS Gleyber Torres was placed on the IL after an MRI revealed a left thumb sprain. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the club received “good news” in that it only expects Torres to be out 10-20 days. Torres is hitting .253 with six HRS and 42 RBIS.
Mets: SS Javier Baez is day to day after experiencing left hip tightness during
Sunday’s loss to the Phillies. Baez, acquired from the Cubs prior to the July 30 trade deadline, was already filling in for injured SS Francisco Lindor, who has been out since July due to a strained oblique suffered while swinging the bat. Mets manager Luis Rojas had immediate flashbacks to Lindor’s injury when Baez got hurt, but the team’s immediate outlook doesn’t sound as bad as Lindor’s. The Mets had a well-timed off day Monday before they’re scheduled to open a three-game series against the Nationals on Tuesday in New York. Baez received more treatment at the ballpark Monday. The Mets will see how he feels Tuesday, when he could potentially return to the lineup. Like the rest of the Mets offense, Baez has struggled since joining the team. While he has hit a pair of key HRS, he’s hitting just .176 in nine games, recording six hits in 36 at bats.
Indians: First baseman Bobby Bradley has joined the Indians’ crowded injured list. Bradley, who emerged as part of the Indians’ everyday lineup since being recalled from the minors on June 5, was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained left knee before Monday night’s game against the Reds. Bradley is hitting .213 with 11 HRS and 25 RBIS. He was injured sliding into the plate Friday and was removed from the game. He didn’t play Saturday or Sunday, and the decision was made that he wasn’t ready to return. The Indians’ IL also includes pitchers Shane Bieber (strained right shoulder) and Aaron Civale (sprained right middle finger), and C Roberto Pérez (sore right shoulder). OF Josh Naylor is out for the season after surgery for a fractured right ankle.