Mets reprimand Hernandez
New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez was reprimanded by the team’s television network for “inappropriate” remarks during a broadcast about a female member of San Diego’s training staff.
The former MVP first baseman said women “don’t belong in the dugout” when he spotted Kelly Calabrese, 33, the Padres’ full-time massage therapist, high-fiving Mike Piazza in the dugout after he hit a home run during New York’s 8-1 victory Saturday in San Diego.
After Hernandez found out later in the broadcast that Calabrese was on the Padres training staff, he repeated that she shouldn’t have been there.
“I won’t say that women belong in the kitchen, but they don’t belong in the dugout,” he said.
The former Mets star then laughed and said: “You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there – always have.”
“Keith Hernandez made inappropriate comments regarding the presence of a female massage therapist of the San Diego Padres who was in the dugout,” SportsNet New York said in a statement Monday. “We immediately addressed the issue with Keith and reprimanded him, and he publicly apologized during Sunday’s game.”
Hernandez said Sunday he was sorry if he offended anyone.
Calabrese said, “It’s a little shocking but you know what – it happens. He not only discredited me as a person, but he discredited women.”
Good news for Burnett
Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett has no structural damage in his right elbow, but there is no timetable for his return to Toronto’s rotation. He was placed on the 15-day DL Saturday.
Burnett was examined in Birmingham, Ala., by Dr. James Andrews, who said the right-hander has a mild ligament sprain and a straining of scar tissue. Andrews performed ligament replacement surgery on Burnett in 2003.
“Everybody feels he’ll be pain-free eventually. It’s just something that needs a little rest,” general manager J.P. Ricciardi said.
Clearing the bases
The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Cody Ross from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named and designated infielder Tony Womack for assignment to the minors. The Reds also put left-hander Eric Milton on the 15-day DL and called up right-handed starter Elizardo Ramirez from Triple-A Louisville. Milton had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. He’s expected to be sidelined three to four weeks. … Los Angeles Angels infielder Maicer Izturis was placed on the 15-day DL because of a strained left hamstring. The Angels recalled infielder Howie Kendrick from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace Izturis.