CUBS
DJ fired over obscene song
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have fired a DJ who played a song with references to violence after reliever Aroldis Chapman left the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
The DJ was fired for playing “Smack My B**** Up,”a 1997 single by the British group The Prodigy.
Chapman served a 29-game suspension to begin the season under Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy. His girlfriend told police Chapman had pushed and choked her on Oct. 30. Chapman said there was an argument but he was pushed down by his girlfriend’s brother, then got a handgun and fired eight shots into a wall and window while locked in his garage.
Prosecutors declined to file charges, citing conflicting accounts.
Cubs President Crane Kenney apologized, saying the music selection showed “a lack of judgment and sensitivity to an important issue.” He said the Cubs will implement stronger controls to review and approve music before it is played.
MLB
Rodriguez won’t return this year
NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez said he won’t play again this season.
The three-time AL MVP was released Saturday by the New York Yankees, who owed him about $27 million for the rest of his contract, which runs through 2017.
Any team could sign Rodriguez, 41, for a prorated share of the major league minimum of $507,500, and Rodriguez’s hometown Miami Marlins said Sunday they were discussing whether to reach out to him.
Rodriguez spokesman Ron Berkowitz said in a statement Monday: “I want to put all this talk to rest about Alex playing for any team this season.
“It’s not happening. Like he said Friday night, he is happy and he is going to take some time to relax and hang with his family and friends.”
INDIANS
Salazar to start Thursday
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians righthander Danny Salazar is scheduled to start Thursday night’s home game against the Chicago White Sox, ending his stint on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
Sidelined since Aug. 2, Salazar did not make a minor league rehab start, instead throwing a short simulated game after Sunday’s victory over the Angels.
Because Salazar will be on a pitch count, Manager Terry Francona said right-hander Mike Clevinger will be available in the bullpen to relieve him. Clevinger will switch to bullpen duty starting today.
Salazar has pitched 117 1/3 innings this season. His career-high in the majors is 185 innings with the Indians last season.
RED SOX
Wright to DL
CLEVELAND — Boston Red Sox All-Star knuckleballer Steven Wright has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder, an injury sustained while diving into second base as a pinch runner at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 7.
The move was retroactive to Aug. 8.
Boston also placed first baseman Hanley Ramirez on the bereavement list. He is expected to be away from the team for three days.
Reliever Roenis Elias was optioned to Class AAA Pawtucket, and right-handers Heath Hembree and infielders Marco Hernandez and Deven Marrero were recalled from Pawtucket.
Boston announced the roster changes before Monday’s game at Cleveland, a makeup of an April 7 game postponed because of snow and cold.
METS
“Choo-Choo” Coleman, 80, dies
NEW YORK — Clarence “Choo-Choo” Coleman, a catcher on the expansion 1962 Mets who spent four seasons in the major leagues with New York and the Philadelphia Phillies, died Monday at age 80.
Coleman, who had been suffering from cancer, died at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, S.C., according to a niece, Linda Hibbler. Coleman had lived for more than two decades in nearby Bamberg.
Hibbler said he was born on Aug. 18, 1935.Baseballreference.com listed his date of birth as Aug 25, 1937.
Coleman said he was given his nickname was when he was young.
“When I was 8 or 9, I ran around a lot,” he told The New York Times in 2012. “My friends called me Choo-Choo because I was fast.”
Coleman played with the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro American League and signed with the original Washington Senators. He was released and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected by Philadelphia at the 1960 winter meetings draft and hit .128 in 47 at-bats over 34 games with the Phillies.The Mets took him in that expansion draft.