Advertisement

Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Feb 15 (The Sports Xchange) - The Chicago Cubs signed infielder-outfielder Emilio Bonifacio to a minor league deal, ESPNChicago.com reported Saturday. Bonifacio, 28, batted .243 with three home runs, 31 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 136 games combined between the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals last year. The switch-hitting utility player has a .262 batting average in seven major league seasons. Bonifacio was released by the Royals on Wednesday. - - - Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward will keep wearing the same protective guard on his helmet that he wore last season after he returned from a broken jaw, according to MLB.com. Heyward, 24, broke his right jaw when he was hit in the face by a pitch from New York Mets left-hander Jon Niese last Aug. 21. He returned later in August. Heyward batted .254 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI in 104 games in 2013. He is expected to bat in the leadoff spot this year. - - - Hall of Famer Hank Aaron had partial left hip replacement surgery Friday after falling on ice earlier in the day. The Atlanta Braves announced that Dr. Scott Gillogly, who performed the surgery, said the 80-year-old is expected to fully recover and should return to regular activities in six to eight weeks. The Braves plan to honor the 40th anniversary of Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run on April 8 before their home opener against the New York Mets. (Editing by Gene Cherry)