AROUND THE HORN
Yankees: Major League Baseball upheld Josh Donaldson’s one-game suspension, a penalty that was assessed after the Yankees third baseman made a remark to White Sox star Tim Anderson about Jackie Robinson that White Sox manager Tony La Russa called racist. MLB special adviser John Mchale upheld the penalty after hearing Donaldson’s appeal on Thursday. Donaldson’s fine was cut in half by Mchale to $5,000, the person said. Donaldson will serve the penalty during the Yankees’ series opener against the Rays on Tuesday night. Michael Hill, MLB’S senior VP for on-field operations, announced the original penalty May 23, two days after Donaldson made multiple references to Robinson while talking to Anderson during a game. Robinson broke the MLB color barrier in 1947 and every team in the big leagues has retired his No. 42 in his honor. A three-time All-star and the 2015 AL MVP with the Blue Jays, Donaldson said he was referring to a 2019 Sports Illustrated article in which Anderson, who’s Black, was quoted as saying: “I kind of feel like today’s Jackie Robinson ... because he changed the game, and I feel like I’m getting to a point to where I need to change the game.” Anderson said he agreed with La Russa, and several Yankees said Donaldson was wrong. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said: “This is just my opinion — (that’s) somewhere he should not be going.” Yankees star Aaron Judge said: “I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do there.” Donaldson, who’s white, said he had “joked around” with Anderson in the past using the reference. Donaldson made a public apology to the Robinson family.
Nationals: Three-time All-star RHP Stephen
Strasburg is headed back to the injured list after feeling discomfort following a bullpen session. Strasburg has made one start this season, his first since he had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last summer. The 33-year-old had been scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Braves. Instead, manager Dave Martinez announced Monday that Strasburg would return to the IL with an unspecified injury. “He threw his bullpen (on Saturday). The next day he didn’t feel so good,” Martinez said. “... We sent him to get an MRI. We don’t have results yet.” Strasburg, the 2019 World Series MVP, signed a sevenyear, $245 million contract to remain with the Nats after their championship season. He has made eight starts since, going 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA. Strasburg took the loss Thursday against the Marlins, allowing seven runs on eight hits over 4 innings. He struck out five with two walks.
Tigers: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez was placed on the restricted list. GM Al Avila announced that Rodriguez informed the team that he will not rejoin the team due to personal matters. The Tigers signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $77 million deal in November after six seasons with the Red Sox. Rodriguez, 29, is 1-3 with a 4.38 ERA in eight starts. He missed the pandemic-shortened 2020 season because of myocarditis, heart inflammation caused by COVID-19.