MLB roundup: Puig leaves game with knee injury
Several key players on contending teams had to leave games on Monday because of injuries.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig left the game against the Colorado Rockies with a mild knee sprain, MLB.com reported.
Puig departed in the sixth inning. It appeared he was injured while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. He stayed in the game at that point and eventually scored, but did not take the field for the sixth.
It's not yet known whether he will miss additional games.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning with a sore wrist. The club announced that Molina's status is day-to-day.
Molina, 31, went on the 15-day disabled list earlier this season with a right knee sprain. Prior to that, he had not been on the DL since 2007.
Also, A's outfielder Coco Crisp left the contest against the Texas Rangers with a bruised right shin.
The injury occurred when he fouled a ball off his leg during an at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.
--Cleveland Indians pitcher Justin Masterson was removed during the second inning of the game against Baltimore because of soeness in his left rib cage.
Masterson was 14-9 on the year with a 3.47 ERA entering Monday's game.
--The Cincinnati Reds called up speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton and infielder Neftali Soto from Class AAA Louisville.
Cincinnati also activated catcher Corky Miller from the 15-day disabled list.
---Injured Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Wandy Rodriguez will not need surgery but has arthritis in his pitching elbow, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Monday.
Rodriguez got the diagnosis after visiting with Dr. James Andrews.
It is not clear if the 34-year-old will return this season.
--When injured Pirates All-Star closer Jason Grilli returns from a right forearm strain, he may pitch in a different role. Grilli has been out since late July but is on a minor league rehab assignment.
Mark Melancon has been closing games with Grilli out. Melancon is eight for nine in save opportunities with a 0.78 ERA since Grilli went down.
Manager Clint Hurdle said it has not been decided if Grilli will return to his closer role when he comes back.
---Two Pennsylvania men were arrested Saturday morning while trying to steal ivy from Wrigley Field's outfield walls, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The men were able to squeeze through bars to enter the stadium, but were arrested while attempting to steal ivy. The incident was caught on security cameras.
Twenty-five-year-olds Kevin Burge and Steven Gudknecht of Chalfont, Penn., were charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
