TORONTO — The Phillies confirmed Saturday that one of their players was involved in a confrontation with a fan following Thursday’s game at Tampa Bay.
The Phillies did not identify the player in their statement. The Rays also confirmed the incident but did not release details. The St. Petersburg Times reported on its website Saturday that Phillies reliever J.C. Romero grabbed and shoved Robert Eaton, 25, of New Port Richey, Fla., after the fan made two comments about steroids.
Romero was suspended for the first 50 games of the season after testing positive for androstenedione.
Eaton told the newspaper he called out to Romero after a couple of Phillies brushed off his requests for autographs, asking the left-hander to get him some steroids.
“He reared back and kind of grazed my chin and grabbed me by the neck and threw me back,” Eaton told the newspaper. “I was in shock.”
Bradley back in lineup
CHICAGO — Milton Bradley was in the Cubs’ lineup, a day after he was sent home by manager Lou Piniella following an angry outburst in the dugout.
“I told him that can’t continue, to have shenanigans that we’ve put up with,” Piniella said. “I told him he’s going to hurt somebody, he’s going to hurt himself.”
Footnotes.
Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre will undergo surgery to have bone spurs removed from his troublesome left shoulder and could be sidelined for four to six weeks.
• The Indians traded infielder Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals for right-handed reliever Chris Perez and a player to be determined. The team also added reliever Jose Veras to the roster and sent reliever Jensen Lewis to Triple-A Columbus.
• Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara is poised for another stint on the disabled list, this time with an elbow strain. He is expected to be replaced by rookie Dave Hernandez, who will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Right-hander Ryan Sadowski will make his debut today for the Giants when he starts against the Brewers.
• Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison will be placed on the DL with biceps inflammation.
The Associated Press
