http://www.stltoday.com/sports/base...cle_606b1a9f-810c-5fb6-a50e-bd21c53e46ae.html
As Major League baseball celebrates the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, a diversity report finds that the sport could do a better job of identifying and hiring minority and female candidates for top decision-making levels.
The annual report card released Tuesday by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida shows a drop-off from a year ago on MLB’s racial and gender hiring practices. Major League Baseball received a B in racial hiring, a C for gender hiring and an overall grade of C+.
The league scored an 82 in racial hiring, down from 90.5 last year, and went from a 74.3 in gender hiring to 70 this year. Overall, MLB scored 76, which is down from last year’s 82.4.
Plan would allow umpires to explain replay rulings • While nothing is set, MLB and its umps are expected to discuss a plan — most prominently used in the NFL — for crew chiefs to wear a microphone and explain replay rulings.
Under one proposal, they would start at the All-Star Game on July 11 in Miami, tweak the process over the season’s second half and then go forward with the experiment in the playoffs.
People familiar with the talks spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an agreement has not yet been reached.
The umpires are in the middle of their five-year labor deal and any change would involve negotiations, plus a comfort level on both sides that the system would be efficient, accurate and easy.
Forearm surgery for Phils’ Buchholz • Phillies righthander Clay Buchholz had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right forearm Tuesday and could miss the rest of the season. The 32-year-old’s estimated recovery time is four to six months.
Philadephia has also placed outfielder Howie Kendrick on the 10-day disabled list with a right abdominal strain,
Giants’ Bochy has minor heart procedure • San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy has undergone a minor heart procedure and will miss the team’s two-game series in Kansas City this week.
The Giants say Bochy had been complaining of discomfort and underwent a procedure called an ablation in San Diego on Monday to fix his heart rhythm problems.
Bochy is now resting at home and is expected to rejoin the team in Colorado on Friday. Bench coach Ron Wotus will assume managerial duties the next two games against the Royals.
The 62-year-old Bochy underwent a heart procedure in February 2015 to insert two stents and was hospitalized last summer with an undisclosed illness that forced him to miss a game in Miami.
Also Tuesday, the Giants activated catcher Buster Posey from the seven-day concussion list and designated backup catcher Tim Federowicz for assignment.
Posey, who is expected to DH Tuesday and Wednesday, went on the list last week after he was struck in the helmet by a 94 mph fastball from Arizona’s Taijuan Walker. Posey got up on his own but exited the game, and the Giants decided not to take any chances with the 2012 NL MVP and 2010 rookie of the year.
Toronto’s Happ to the DL • The Blue Jays have placed lefthander J.A. Happ on the 10-day disabled list with a sore elbow.
Happ, who won 20 games for the first time last year, left Sunday’s start against Baltimore in the fifth inning. On Monday, he had an MRI, which revealed no structural damage.
Happ is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA this season.