ATLANTA — Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell was suspended for two weeks without pay Sunday by Major League Baseball for alleged homophobic comments and crude gestures he made toward fans before a game in San Francisco.
The suspension is retroactive to Friday, when McDowell was placed on administrative leave by the Braves. He also was fined an undisclosed amount for the April 23 incident.
McDowell will be required to complete sensitivity training and will have to apologize directly to the fans involved — Justin Quinn and his family.
Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement Sunday that insensitivity to others “simply cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Freese breaks bone in left hand
ATLANTA — The Cardinals are looking for a fill-in starter at third base after David Freese broke a bone in his left hand when he was struck by a pitch.
Freese was hit by Scott Linebrink in the sixth inning. X-rays at the stadium showed the broken bone. The Cardinals did not say how long Freese will be out.
Albert Pujols moved from first to third in the eighth — his first appearance at the position since 2002.
Astros’ Lee injured in collision
HOUSTON — Astros left fielder Carlos Lee was carted off the field after he injured his rib cage in a collision with shortstop Angel Sanchez in the seventh inning against Milwaukee.
Lee was taken to a hospital, and a chest X-ray did not reveal any rib fractures, but Lee was still scheduled to undergo a CT scan.
Footnotes.
The Giants placed third baseman Pablo Sandoval on the disabled list with a broken bone in his right wrist and called up third baseman Ryan Rohlinger from Triple-A.
• The Dodgers activated reliever Hong-Chih Kuo from the 15-day DL and optioned hard-throwing Kenley Jansen to Double-A.
• Veteran right-hander Kevin Millwood opted out of his contract with the Yankees, which he was allowed to do if he wasn’t called up from the minors by May 1.
• Unbeaten Angels right-hander Jered Weaver (6-0) was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday vs. the Rays because of a stomach virus.
The Associated Press
