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MLB notebook: Ortiz 'flashed that smile' in recovery

[June 14, 2019] Former Red Sox star David Ortiz is in stable condition after a second surgery in Boston, his wife Tiffany Ortiz said in a statement provided by the team.

"David arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital last night and underwent a successful second surgery. He is stable, awake, and resting comfortably this morning in the ICU where he is expected to remain for the next several days," she said.

"On behalf of me and my family, I want to thank John and Linda Henry, Tom Werner, Sam Kennedy and the Boston Red Sox for all that they are doing for David and our family, as well as Dr. Larry Ronan and the amazing staff at Massachusetts General Hospital. Lastly, I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and love that we have received during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for privacy as David works toward recovery."

Ortiz was alert after the surgery, which lasted until about 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, and "even flashed that smile" afterward, media assistant Leo Lopez told ESPN. The number of visitors will be limited and Ortiz will be closely monitored for the next 24 to 48 hours, but doctors are hopeful that he will make a full recovery.

--Major League Baseball suspended Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson one game for his actions in Monday night's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The suspension is on hold while Donaldson files an appeal.

He was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the first inning by Pirates starter Joe Musgrove. They exchanged words after the incident before Donaldson shoved catcher Elias Diaz, who was trying to keep the two apart. Benches cleared but no punches were thrown.

--The St. Louis Cardinals activated catcher Yadier Molina from the 10-day injured list.

Molina, 36, missed 11 games since being sidelined with a right thumb tendon strain on May 29. The nine-time All-Star is batting .265 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 50 games.

To make room on the 25-man roster, the Cardinals optioned rookie backstop Andrew Knizner to Triple-A Memphis.

--New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances will be shut down for a few weeks after suffering a setback in his rehab from a right shoulder impingement, manager Aaron Boone said.

"He's got a low-grade strain of his lat," Boone said in between a day-night doubleheader against the New York Mets."I guess good news is that it is a low-level strain, but obviously frustrating, especially because the shoulder's good and he was feeling good and now a little slowdown. So we'll support him right now and hopefully a few weeks down and ramp him back him up."

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Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz celebrates his solo home in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during their MLB American League East baseball game in Boston, Massachusetts, September 22, 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter/File Photo

Betances, 31, is a four-time All-Star who went 4-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 66 appearances last season, mostly in a set-up role for the Yankees. The right-hander hasn't pitched this season after suffering from the shoulder problems during spring training.

--Baltimore Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb is scheduled to undergo hip surgery and will miss the rest of the 2019 season, general manager Mike Elias told reporters.

Cobb, 31, went 0-2 with a 10.95 ERA in three starts this season before the team shut him down because of a back strain. He is 53-52 with a 3.85 ERA in 146 career starts with the Tampa Bay Rays and Orioles.

Elias told reporters that Cobb also might undergo a procedure on his knee. The pitcher's primary surgery will be to fix an impingement in his right hip.

--The Seattle Mariners reinstated second baseman Dee Gordon from the injured list.

Gordon, 31, has been out since May 21 with a right wrist contusion. He originally suffered the injury when he was struck by a pitch on May 9 against the New York Yankees.

In 45 games with the Mariners, Gordon is batting .281 with three homers, 19 RBIs and 12 steals.

--Boston placed relief pitcher Ryan Brasier on the bereavement/family medical emergency list and called up rookie Darwinzon Hernandez from Double-A Portland to make his first career start.

Brasier is 2-3 with a 3.77 ERA with six saves in 31 appearances this season. The right-hander must be on the bereavement/family medical emergency list for a minimum of three days but not longer than seven.

This is the third call-up of the season for the 22-year-old Hernandez, who made a relief appearance April 23 against the Detroit Tigers, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings. The left-hander allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four.

--Field Level Media

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