ROYALS
Finger fractured
The undefeated Kansas City Royals suffered their first loss of the season on Tuesday morning when the club announced an X-ray discovered a non-displaced fracture of Alex Rios' left pinky. The team placed Rios on the 15-day disabled list and will make a roster move before today's game against the Twins.
The fracture occurred when Twins reliever J.R. Graham hit Rios with a 93-mph fastball in the eighth inning of Monday's 12-3 Royals rout. Rios became the 11th Royals player hit by a pitch this season. He was the first to deal with long-term consequences.
The club did not announce a timetable for Rios' return. General Manager Dayton Moore indicated the team would have a better sense after seeing how Rios responds to at least a week of rehabilitation.
"I think it would be a little careless to put six weeks on it," Moore said in a telephone interview. "And maybe a little premature to be two to three weeks on it. I think it's somewhere in between."
Rios produced for the Royals in the season's first week. He hit .321 with an .809 on-base plus slugging percentage and drove in eight runs. Now more responsibility shifts to his teammates, including outfielder Alex Gordon, who has one hit in 16 at-bats this season.
DODGERS
No bat flips
What happened to the bat flip?
When Yasiel Puig homered Monday night in the Dodgers' 10-inning, 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners, he didn't so much flip his bat as he did toss it aside.
This was by design.
Puig said recently he intends to cut down on his trademark bat flips, if only because he is sensitive to how they might be perceived.
Though acknowledging that some fans are entertained by his theatrics, Puig said in Spanish, "I want to show American baseball that I'm not disrespecting the game."
Puig maintained that his bat flips aren't intended to disrespect the game or his opponents.
"I don't do that because I lack respect," he said. "I do that because of the emotions that I have."
That being the case, Puig said he might flip his bat if he comes through in an emotionally charged situation.
"If it's a big home run or if I'm frustrated because I couldn't connect in my previous at-bats or if I drive in important runs for my team, I might do it," he said. "You never know. I can't say I won't do it."
YANKEES
Nova at work
TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees starter Ivan Nova has thrown his first batting practice session since elbow ligament-replacement surgery last April.
Nova threw 20 pitches Tuesday at the Yankees' minor league complex and appears on track to rejoin the team in June. He tore the ligament last April 19 during a game against Tampa Bay and had surgery 10 days later.
He admitted he was nervous at first but settled down and was happy with his final 10 to 15 pitches. The right-hander has another batting practice outing slated for Friday.
Nova is 40-22 in parts of five major league seasons. He is eligible for free agency after the 2016 season.
INDIANS
Hayes comes up
CLEVELAND -- The Indians have selected the contract of catcher Brett Hayes from Class AAA Columbus, a needed move with Yan Gomes injured and expected to miss six weeks.
Hayes began the season with the Clippers, and didn't get a hit in five at-bats. The Indians signed him to a minor league free-agent contract in December. He was with Kansas City's organization in 2014.
Cleveland had to bring up a backup catcher after Gomes sprained a knee ligament on Saturday when he was injured while making a play at the plate. Roberto Perez is starting while Gomes is out.
To make room for Hayes, the Indians designated right-hander Shaun Marcum for assignment. He pitched for the first time in a major league since 2013 on Sunday against Detroit.
The club also signed free agent right-hander Jhoulys Chacin to a minor league deal.
In other Indians news, All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley is not in Cleveland's starting lineup for the fifth time because of a bad back.
Brantley has been bothered by lower back stiffness since he reported to training camp in February. The 27-year-old played the season opener in Houston before resting two games. He returned to the lineup on Friday for Cleveland's home opener against Detroit, but was kept out of the final two games over the weekend as the Tigers swept the Indians.
Indians manager Terry Francona said he regretted playing Brantley in the home opener. Francona said the club has discussed all options with Brantley, including placing him on the disabled list.
Brantley had a breakout season in 2014, batting .327 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI. He finished third in the AL MVP voting and led the Indians in virtually every offensive category.
MLB
Army honors Selig
NEW YORK -- Bud Selig was given the Outstanding Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Army, the third highest honor the military branch can bestow upon a private citizen.
The former baseball commissioner received the distinction Tuesday at Whipple Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.
The Army recognized Selig for baseball's long tradition of support for soldiers, veterans and their families during his tenure that ended in January.
Commissioner Emeritus Selig said it was a "truly a humbling experience to receive such a prestigious award from those who have done so much to protect our country and our way of life."
The presentation was made by General Raymond T. Odierno, the U.S. Army's 38th Chief of Staff.
-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services
Sports on 04/15/2015