Price fined for hitting Ortiz
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price was fined an undisclosed amount for hitting Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz with a pitch last week, according to reports Wednesday.
The Boston Globe originally reported Price’s fine and that he was not suspended. CBSSports.com confirmed the report.
Price, 28, hit Ortiz in the first inning. Both benches were warned and Price hit outfielder Mike Carp with a pitch later in the game, but it was deemed unintentional.
Red Sox right-hander Brandon Workman responded by throwing behind third baseman Evan Longoria, up around his head. Workman was suspended six games because it happened after the warning and was close to the head. He is appealing the suspension and will start Wednesday night as scheduled.
Ortiz fumed that Workman was suspended while Price got away with just a fine.
“We’re the ones getting fines and suspensions,” Ortiz said Tuesday. “I guess the rules aren’t for everyone.”
California Chrome draws post two for Belmont
NEW YORK — California Chrome has drawn post position two for Saturday’s 146th Belmont Stakes, where he will attempt to become just the 12th horse to complete U.S. racing’s Triple Crown.
With a field of 11 runners for the $1.5 million race, California Chrome will start near the inside for the mile and a half (2,400 meters) journey.
If the three-year-old can win the race after his impressive victories in last month’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, he will become the first horse in 36 years to achieve the Triple Crown, regarded as the greatest challenge in U.S. racing.
California Chrome was installed Wednesday as the 3-5 early favorite for the race while his main rivals all drew outside of him.
Commanding Curve, runner up in the Kentucky Derby, drew gate four while Ride On Curlin, who finished second in the Preakness, was given the fifth hole.
Wicked Strong, who won the Grade I Wood Memorial in New York with a powerful late burst before finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, drew the ninth post.
Trout’s back inflamed but OK structurally
Tests showed Wednesday that Angels center fielder Mike Trout has inflammation in his back but no structural damage.
Trout left Tuesday night’s game against the Houston Astros because of stiffness after missing two weekend games. He did not start Wednesday night against the Astros, but he is hoping to return Thursday.
“It’s definitely good news,” Trout told MLB.com. “I’ll see how I feel tomorrow. Maybe I’ll go tomorrow.”
Josh Hamilton started in Trout’s place in center on Wednesday. Hamilton returned from the disabled list this week from a thumb injury.
The 22-year-old Trout is batting .294 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs and five stolen bases in 54 games this season.
Panthers sign first-round pick
The Carolina Panthers have all of their 2014 NFL Draft pick under contract after signing first-round draft pick Kelvin Benjamin and third-rounder Trai Turner on Wednesday.
Benjamin, a wide receiver, was the No. 28 overall selection and Turner, a guard, was No. 92. They were the last of the Panthers’ six draft picks this year to sign. Financial terms of the deals were not specified.
The 6-foot-5 Benjamin left Florida State after his sophomore season in 2013. He played in 28 games and started 14, accounting for 84 receptions and 1,506 yards with 19 touchdowns. Last year, he led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 1,011 receiving yards on 54 catches and his 15 receiving touchdowns ranked third nationally.
Reds’ Chapman cleared to throw batting practice
Left-hander Aroldis Chapman, the Cincinnati Reds’ closer, has been cleared to pitch batting practice for the first time since he was hit in the face by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 10.
Chapman sustained fractures of his nose and a bone above his left eye when hit by a line drive off the bat of Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals.
”Our concern initially was anything that might come up and bounce and hit him in the face, and if he would be at a higher risk for further injury, and he’s been given the clearance on that,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. ”So he’s a full-go in that regard.”
Price said he wasn’t sure exactly when Chapman will pitch for the first time, but added that it probably will come during the Reds’ 10-game trip that ends April 27. He added that Chapman will go on a minor league rehab assignment before rejoining the Reds.