TORONTO — Derek Jeter says he’s surprised his no-show at the All-Star Game caused such a commotion.
The Yankees shortstop became a lightning rod this week as talk about his absence kept building. Jeter’s decision to rest his sore right calf rather than head to the desert stirred up fierce debate, even among his loyal fans in New York.
That came as a shock to Jeter, who said last Friday that it would be prudent for him to sit out and rest up for the second half. Jeter got his 3,000th career hit the next day.
“It seemed to be a nonissue at the time,” Jeter said before starting Thursday night’s game in Toronto. “I hadn’t heard a word about it until someone told me it was all over the TV on Tuesday.”
• The team signed left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A.
Ortiz, Gregg get four-game suspensions
BOSTON — Red Sox slugger David Ortiz and Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg were suspended four games and fined for their parts in a July 8 bench-clearing brawl.
Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez was suspended three games, and manager Buck Showalter was suspended one game as part of the punishment handed out.
Footnotes.
Major League Baseball renewed its objections to the Dodgers’ proposed bankruptcy financing, telling a federal court the commissioner’s office was offering $150 million in loans at far more favorable terms.
• Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is expected to play tonight, three days after leaving the All-Star Game with a minor injury.
• The Rays put catcher John Jaso on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right side.
• The Indians recalled outfielder Ezequiel Carrera from Triple-A Columbus.
The Associated Press
