Notes

MLB Selig: System works

NEW YORK - Commissioner Bud Selig said the sport’s new replay system is working well despite a few problems during its first two weeks.

While baseball began video review late in the 2008 season, it was limited to potential home runs and boundary calls. The new system that began March 30 vastly expands the types of plays that managers and umpires can ask to be reviewed at a replay center in New York.

Calls by umpires on the field have been confirmed in 33 of 89 challenges through Monday and overturned in 30. For 25 others, calls stood because of a lack of “clear and convincing” evidence. In one instance, umpires asked for a video review to check the balls-strike count.

Selig called the rollout “remarkable” but wouldn’t say whether MLB would make any adjustments during this initial season.

“We’ve had really very little controversy overall,” Selig said Tuesday at the MLB Diversity Business Summit. “Everything in life will have a little glitch here and there where you do something new. And are our guys on top of it? You bet. But I’m saying to you again, you’ll hear about the one or two controversies, but look at all the calls that have been overturned.”

Umpires review challenged calls in a room filled with computers, screens and technicians at the offices of Major League Baseball Advanced Media.

CARDINALS 2B Ellis activated

MILWAUKEE - The St. Louis Cardinals activated Mark Ellis from the 15-day disabled list and inserted him into the starting lineup at second base for Tuesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ellis missed the first 13 games of the season with left knee tendinitis. He went 1 for 3 while playing five innings during a rehab game Sunday at Class AAA Memphis.

Ellis signed a one-year deal with St. Louis in the off season. The 11-year veteran is a .407 career hitter against Milwaukee.

Shortstop Pete Kozma was optioned to Class AAA on Monday night to make room for Ellis on the 25-man roster.

WHITE SOX Garcia out for season

CHICAGO - Chicago White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia had season-ending left shoulder surgery on Tuesday.

The White Sox said doctors at Rush Oak Park Hospital repaired a torn labrum and avulsion fracture in Garcia’s left shoulder.

Garcia, 22, was injured when he attempted a diving catch on April 9 at Colorado. Garcia is expected to be ready for the start of spring training next season, without any restrictions.

Garcia was batting .267 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI and 6 runs in 8 games this season. He had his first career multi-home run game the day before getting hurt.

INDIANS Bourn off disabled list

DETROIT - The Indians activated outfielder Michael Bourn from the disabled list before their scheduled game with the Tigers was postponed by inclement weather.

To make room for Bourn, the Indians optioned outfielder Nyjer Morgan to Class AAA Columbus.

Bourn missed Cleveland’s first 13 games with a strained left hamstring. He injured it while running the bases March 16 during training camp in Arizona, and the Indians were cautious with the speedy lead off hitter who had surgery on the hamstring following last season.

Bourn had been eligible to be activated two weeks ago, but the Indians had him play in five minor league games to make sure he was ready.

Morgan, who signed a minor league free agent deal with Cleveland in January, did a nice job filling in for Bourn. He batted .348 (8 of 23), scored 4 runs and had 4 RBI in 9 games.

CUBS Committed to Wrigley

NEW YORK - Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said he thinks a move to the suburbs might be lucrative but said his team remains committed to refurbishing century-old Wrigley Field.

The Cubs won approval from Chicago’s City Council last July for a $500 million renovation that would include installation of a 5,700-square-foot video scoreboard at Wrigley, which turns 100 on April 23. The team also wants to erect a 650-square-foot sign in right field with a guarantee neighboring rooftop owners won’t slow construction with a lawsuit.

A member of the audience Tuesday at the MLB Diversity Business Summit asked a panel that included Ricketts about the Atlanta Braves’ planned move in 2017 from downtown to a suburban Cobb County and how the team could maintain a connection with the community near Turner Field.

Ricketts said the Cubs have been trying to avoid such an issue.