Umpires protest ‘abusive’ treatment
Major League Baseball umpires wore white wristbands during games Saturday, protesting “abusive player behavior” after Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler was fined but not suspended for his recent verbal tirade against ump Angel Hernandez.
The World Umpires Association strongly objected to the response by the commissioner’s office. Kinsler said Tuesday that Hernandez was a bad umpire and “just needs to go away.”
“The Office of the Commissioner’s lenient treatment to abusive player behavior sends the wrong message to players and managers. It’s open season on umpires, and that’s bad for the game,” the WUA said. “Enough is enough. Umpires will wear the wristbands until our concerns are taken seriously.”
MLB said it had no comment. Darvish on DL: Yu Darvish was placed on the 10-day disabled list with lower back tightness after just three starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Darvish is 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts with Los Angeles since being acquired from Texas on July 31. Chapman demoted: Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Aroldis Chapman, who has given up at least two runs in each of his past three outings, is being removed as the closer for now.
Dellin Betances and David Robertson will close based on the situation. Briefly: The Cubs claimed catcher Rene Rivera off waivers from the Mets. Rivera, 34, is batting .230 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 54 games. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Aaron Brooks was designated for assignment . ... To replace Rivera, the Mets recalled catcher Kevin Plawecki from Triple-A Las Vegas, and also activated former A’s left-hander Tommy Milone from the DL. Milone takes the roster spot of outfielder Curtis Granderson, who was traded to the Dodgers on Friday night . ... In the wake of the Granderson deal, the Dodgers sent outfielder Joc Pederson to Triple-A Oklahoma City . ... The Padres demoted one of their top young players, right fielder Hunter Renfroe, to Triple-A El Paso. Renfroe had 20 home runs but was hitting just .230 . ... The Marlins traded pitcher Tom Koehler and cash to the Blue Jays for minor-league pitcher Osman Gutierrez.