Cleveland’s Bauer fined for throwing ball into stands
Cleveland pitcher Trevor Bauer was fined by Major League Baseball for heaving a ball from the pitcher's mound over the center-field wall at Kansas City last weekend, a person familiar with the discipline said Tuesday.
The players' association did not say whether it intended to contest the decision.
An all-star last year, Bauer made the toss just after allowing a two-run single to Nicky Lopez that gave the Royals a 7-5 lead with one out in the fifth inning of Cleveland's 9-6 loss Sunday. When manager Terry Francona emerged from the dugout to make a pitching change, Bauer turned, took a couple steps and threw the ball over the 410-foot mark.
Francona pointed Bauer toward the dugout, and then followed closely behind him, and both disappeared into the tunnel. Bauer apologized to the organization and his teammates.
Francona said Tuesday he plans to discuss the incident with president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff, but not until after the trade deadline passes Wednesday.
“I need to figure out for myself what I think is proper or respectful,” Francona said. “I would never do something without Chris and Chernie's input. I thought they were so busy that I didn't think it was right to put that on their plate. There'll be a time to get to that. We can discuss maybe exactly what's right to do moving forward.”
Francona said any decision will take several factors into consideration.
Cubs get bullpen help: The Chicago Cubs added bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander David Phelps from Toronto for minor league righty Thomas
Hatch.
As part of the trade, the Blue Jays agreed to send cash to Chicago to offset some of Phelps' contract, which includes a $2.5 million base salary for this year, a $1 million club option for 2020 and numerous performance bonuses.
The 32-year-old tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow on March 17, 2017, during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, had surgery March 26 and did not return to the major leagues until this June 17.