Kemp, Chirinos suspended 1 game
Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos were suspended for one game apiece on Friday because of a scuffle that followed a home-plate collision.
Joe Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer, announced the suspensions, along with undisclosed fines.
Chirinos was not in the Rangers’ lineup Friday night for their series-opening loss at home to Colorado, and the team said he was serving his suspension. Kemp is appealing his suspension and homered in the Dodgers’ home win over the Giants.
Kemp said he was surprised by the punishment and disagrees with it.
“Nothing happened,” he said. “Just a little pushing. I’ve seen way worse happen.” Mauer returns: Twins first baseman Joe Mauer returned to Minnesota’s lineup after missing 25 games with a neck strain and concussion-like symptoms. Mauer was activated Friday before the Twins opened a three-game series against the AL Central-leading Indians. He led off and went 0-for-4. Mauer was hurt while diving for a foul ball last month.
Hurting Angels: The Angels lost four more players to the disabled list, putting the club’s total at a franchise-record 15 players on the DL at one time. Infielder Zack Cozart went on the DL with a partially dislocated right shoulder. Righthander Jim Johnson has a lower back strain. Right-hander Garrett Richards is nursing a strained left hamstring, and right-hander Nick Tropeano has inflammation in his pitching shoulder.
Davis benched: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis has essentially been benched in the wake of a season-long slump. Davis is batting .150 with four home runs, 15 RBIs and 86 strikeouts in 52 games. He hasn’t played since Monday, and there’s no telling when he will be back in the lineup. “Chris is continuing with some things that he’s working on,” manager Buck Showalter said.
Kang clears visa hurdle:
Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang has been reinstated from the restricted list and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after missing last season and the first part of this year with visa issues.
Injuries: Royals outfielder Jorge Soler left Friday’s loss to the Astros after stumbling out of the batter’s box in the sixth. He was taken for X-rays that revealed a broken left foot. “It will be awhile when your feet are hurt,” Royals manager Ned Yost said . ... Miguel Cabrera had successful surgery on his left biceps tendon on Thursday. The Tigers infielder is out for the rest of the season and is expected to return for spring training. ... Orioles reliever Richard Bleier was placed on the DL and will likely require season-ending shoulder surgery. He was the most effective reliever for struggling Baltimore . ... Struggling Reds right-hander Homer Bailey halted his injury rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Louisville. On the DL with right knee inflammation, he made one rehab start before informing the Reds that he is not healthy enough to pitch, interim manager Jim Riggleman said.