NATIONALS
Harper drops appeal
WASHINGTON -- Nationals star Bryce Harper dropped his appeal and served a one-game suspension in the second game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday against Miami.
The team announced the outfielder's decision after he went 0 for 2 in Washington's 6-4 victory in the opener. The team did not open the locker room between games.
The reigning NL MVP was suspended and fined Wednesday by Major League Baseball for his behavior following an ejection in Monday's 5-4 victory over Detroit.
During the bottom of the ninth inning of that victory, Harper was in the dugout when he was ejected by plate umpire Brian Knight after Nationals batter Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes.
After the ejection, pinch hitter Clint Robinson connected for a game-winning home run. Harper, who by rule should not have been in the dugout after getting tossed, ran onto the field with his teammates to celebrate, pointed toward Knight and cursed at the umpire.
RAYS
Forsythe injures shoulder
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday after tests revealed a hairline fracture of his left shoulder blade.
The move is retroactive to May 10, when Forsythe (Arkansas Razorbacks) was hit on the shoulder by a pitch from Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners. He has not played since then, but the Rays considered the shoulder only sore until Saturday's MRI revealed the slight fracture.
"Yesterday he tried to swing and it just wasn't working for him," said Manager Kevin Cash.
Forsythe is hitting .308 and leads Rays regulars in hits (33), walks (14) and slugging percentage (.523).
The Rays recalled relief pitcher Danny Farquhar from Class AAA Durham to take Forsythe's spot on the active roster.
YANKEES
Moves bolster pitching
NEW YORK -- In the wake of Luis Severino's arm injury, the New York Yankees made a flurry of roster moves to reinforce their pitching staff.
Right-handers Chad Green and Conor Mullee were called up from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and added to the bullpen before Saturday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Rookie catcher Gary Sanchez was optioned back to Class AAA, and Severino was placed on the 15-day disabled list, interrupting his dreadful sophomore season.
Impressive as a rookie last year, Severino, 22, is 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA in seven starts. He left Friday night's 7-1 loss to the White Sox in the third inning and was diagnosed with a strained right triceps.
"I felt a little pinch in the second inning, but I didn't think it (was anything) to worry about," Severino said. "It's a little soreness, not too much."
In a separate move, the Yankees acquired right-hander J.R. Graham from Minnesota for a player to be named or cash. Graham was optioned to Class AA Trenton.
General Manager Brian Cashman said Severino has a minor injury and it was not the cause of his problems on the mound this season.
"He's not pitching anywhere close to his capabilities," Cashman said. "It's not health-related."
In the meantime, New York must pick someone to take Severino's turn Wednesday at Arizona. Green, who had been scheduled to start Saturday at Class AAA, and right-hander Luis Cessa are potential candidates.
A-Rod hands out A-Rod bats
It was Alex Rodriguez replica bat day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday and handing out the bats was ... A-Rod himself. How often is a major league player actually involved in the distribution of a promotion bearing his name?
The Yankees designated hitter was available for the meet-and-greet because he's been on the disabled list since May 4 with a strained right hamstring. He was hitting .194 with five home runs and 12 RBI. Rodriguez, who turns 41 on July 27, is eight home runs short of 700 for his career and 22 behind Babe Ruth (714) for third on the all-time list.
Rodriguez was flanked by an NYPD detail and stood behind metal railing, but his appearance delighted surprised youngsters and their families walking inside Gate 2. He spent about 30 minutes giving out the children's-sized bats, taking pictures and speaking with fans.
"Anytime you get a chance to interact with our fans and their kids it's pretty awesome," he said afterward. "We don't really get to connect with our fans, (and it) is a great opportunity."
Rodriguez is eligible to come of the DL on Thursday when the Yankees open a four-game series in Oakland against the Athletics.
CUBS
Three catchers on roster
CHICAGO -- Miguel Montero was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, putting three catchers on the roster for the Chicago Cubs.
Montero had been sidelined by lower back tightness. He went 2 for 10 with two RBI over three games in a rehab assignment with Class AAA Iowa.
"I feel good, surprisingly," Montero said. "First day coming in, I was a little skeptical a little bit about blocking and all this, but I got to block a lot of balls. So all the issues that I have going in my mind, not in my body because I was feeling good, obviously felt pretty good blocking and that was kind of a turning point."
Montero, 32, was in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh, batting eighth.
To make room on the roster, outfielder Ryan Kalish was designated for assignment. Kalish was promoted from Iowa on May 3 and batted .286 (2 for 7) in seven games with the Cubs.
The move with Kalish leaves catcher Tim Federowicz in place after he was promoted when Montero went on the DL. The major league-leading Cubs also have veteran catcher David Ross, who hit a three-run home run in Friday's 9-4 victory over the Pirates.
INDIANS
Brantley on 15-day DL
CLEVELAND -- The Indians have placed outfielder Michael Brantley on the 15-day disabled list because he's still having issues with his surgically repaired right shoulder.
The team made the move Saturday, retroactive to May 10. Brantley has been bothered by inflammation in his shoulder, which he injured late last season while trying to make a diving catch in Minnesota. He had surgery in November.
Brantley recovered more quickly than expected during spring training, but began this season on the DL. One of the club's best players, he's batting .231 (9 of 39) with seven RBI in 11 games. He sat out his third consecutive game on Friday as the Indians opened a series with Minnesota. The club was hoping added rest would help and now have decided to sit Brantley for an extended period.
The Indians also purchased the contract of infielder Michael Martinez from Class AAA Columbus.
Sports on 05/15/2016