MLB says Astros were not spying

The Houston Astros didn’t cheat. They didn’t want to get cheated.

That’s their story, and Major League Baseball agrees.

Following an investigation into two incidents this postseason, MLB said the defending World Series champions were conducting surveillance, not spying, when a credentialed Astros employee was pointing his cellphone into the visitor’s dugouts during playoff games in Cleveland and Boston.

The Indians filed a complaint following Game 3 of the AL Division Series after the employee was observed aiming his phone into their dugout and taking pictures or video. A few days later, the same man was ejected from an area in Fenway Park during Game 1 of the ALCS.

According to a person familiar with the situation, the Red Sox had been warned ahead of the series about the Astros employee, who was near Cleveland’s dugout for several innings on Oct. 8 before he was removed by security.

On Wednesday, MLB issued a two-paragraph statement saying its department of investigations did a thorough probe and determined “that an Astros employee was monitoring the field to ensure that the opposing club was not violating any rules.” MLB has instructed all clubs still in the playoffs “to refrain from these types of efforts.” ALSO >> Red Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak and won’t start Game 5 of the AL Championship Series. Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes before Game 4 in Houston, but Manager Alex Cora said he didn’t throw a bullpen session as planned . ... Dodgers star Manny Machado was fined an undisclosed amount by MLB for kicking Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar in Game 4.