MLB
Montreal mayor wants regular-season games in 2016
NEW YORK — The mayor of Montreal has asked Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to consider playing three or four regular-season games in the city next year.
Mayor Denis Coderre met with Manfred in New York on Thursday. Coderre said six or seven teams have expressed an interest in playing there in 2016.
Montreal had the Expos from 1969 through 2004. The team then moved to Washington and became the Nationals.
Two exhibition games in Montreal between the Blue Jays and Reds in early April drew a total of more than 96,000 fans to Olympic Stadium.
“He’s open to it,” Coderre said. “I showed that we have a clear strategy and that the fans are there. We can fill the [Olympic Stadium]. Now the next step is to get regular-season games here. If we can fill the stadium in April, imagine in June or July.”
Manfred recently said the interest shown by Montreal meant the city had successfully passed the first test toward a return of baseball. Manfred has said the city would need a new stadium to get an expansion team or a club to relocate.
MARINERS
Cano not in lineup Thursday
SEATTLE — Robinson Cano wasn’t in the Seattle Mariners’ lineup for the first time this season because of flu-like symptoms.
Cano’s first day off came Thursday night with the Mariners opening a four-game series against Cleveland. Manager Lloyd McClendon said the symptoms popped up overnight after the team had concluded its trip against Tampa Bay and returned to Seattle.
McClendon said Cano had lost a couple of pounds because of dehydration and was receiving fluids.
Cano has been in a slump for much of the season, hitting .253 with 1 home run and 13 RBI. Cano was 9 for 37 (.243) on Seattle’s recent road trip with both of his RBI coming in the same game.
INDIANS
Atchison to DL
SEATTLE — The Cleveland Indians have placed right-handed reliever Scott Atchison on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained left ankle.
The Indians made the roster move before opening a four-game series in Seattle on Thursday night. Cleveland will also be without infielder Carlos Santana for at least a few days after he was placed on the paternity list.
Atchison was 1-1 with a 5.74 ERA in 19 relief appearances for the Indians this season. This is his fifth career stint on the disabled list.
To take the open roster spots, the Indians selected the contract of outfielder Jerry Sands and recalled right-hander Austin Adams from Class AAA Columbus. Sands has split the season between Cleveland and Columbus appearing in nine games in April with the Indians.
Adams started the season with Cleveland before being sent down. Adams appeared in three games with the Indians and 10 games at Columbus.
RED SOX
Ortiz out of lineup
ARLINGTON, Texas — Struggling slugger David Ortiz is getting a break from the Boston Red Sox lineup.
Ortiz wasn’t in the lineup for Thursday’s series opener at Texas following a five-game stretch when he had only one hit in 20 at-bats.
Red Sox Manager John Farrell indicated before the game that Ortiz might be out of the lineup for a couple of games, giving him a chance to work on a few things.
Ortiz is hitting .216 with 6 home runs and 18 RBI in 43 games this season
Hanley Ramirez was the designated hitter for the series opener against the Rangers.
RANGERS
Infielder called up
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have recalled infielder Hanser Alberto from Round Rock and optioned right-hander Phil Klein to the Class AAA team.
Texas announced the move before Thursday’s game, two days before what would have been Klein’s next scheduled start.
Alberto was hitting .303 with 2 home runs and 13 RBI in 42 games at Class AAA, and at a.375 clip since May 2. He was looking to make his major league debut.
Klein was 1-0 with an 8.25 ERA in 8 games, including 2 starts with the team. He started Monday in Cleveland.
The Rangers said their starter for Saturday against the Red Sox was to be determined.